|
Repair Coach Corner
Carl Verderber
Electrical, Mechanical, Clock Coach
Cafes: Red Hook, Rhinebeck
Carl Verderber has managed to clock a lot of repair cafe hours over the four years he’s volunteered with RCHV in Dutchess County. In addition to being a skilled mechanical and electrical repair coach, Carl also works on clocks – including cuckoo clocks. In fact, at one cafe, he worked on three cuckoo clocks from the same guest – and he had them all repaired and functioning that day.
“I like to repair any electro-mechanical device I’m not familiar with; I have to study the item and analyze the technology which I learn a lot from. I really like cuckoo clocks because there are so many mechanical designs involved – it’s a learning experience each time.”
When you see his extensive work history, you’ll appreciate how hard it must be for him to be challenged! Carl started working at IBM Service in 1963 after graduating high school. At IBM, he took advantage of their internal course offerings, which prepared him well for a multi-faceted technical career. He spent seventeen years at IBM servicing equipment, two at IBM Instruments Inc. as a scientific instrument repair technician and another thirteen in IBM power supply assurance.
Next, Carl spent twenty-three years as the facilities maintenance supervisor and head technician at Unification Theological Seminary, which included the roles of steam boiler engineer, electrician, plumber and washer/drier/refrigerator technician. When the seminary was purchased by Bard College in 2018, Carl transitioned to working for the college’s Massena Campus. Today he still works there part-time as a consultant and facilities maintenance advisor.
Like many of our repair coaches, Carl is also a ham radio operator (extra class) and has been one for 55 years! An avid history buff, he collects vintage tube and transistor radio and is an amateur historian of two prominent NY families who settled the area, the Beekmans and the Livingstons. Carl also received his ASE Master Tech certification in automotive repair, which he practiced freelance for several years, and is still involved in automotive diagnostics as a hobby.
| 
