After 15 years of service, George Teichrob is retiring as the UFA Petroleum Agent in La Crete, but rest assured, he will still continue to serve up treats like ice cream and pizza at the convenience store, something that makes both him, and his customers, very happy.
“I’m not ready to completely step away, I’m too young for that,” he jokes. “But I am looking forward to simplifying and slowing down a bit.”
Teichrob comes from a big busy family and working hard has always been the norm.
“I grew up the second-youngest of eleven kids, we were brought up on the family farm, it was hard work, but I knew early that I wanted to continue farming,” says Teichrob. “It’s always been my thing and definitely in my blood.”
For years Teichrob operated the family farm, together with his father and brother, and today, he runs a grain farm with a few head of cattle, near the area. While he loves farming, he says, often it’s not enough by itself to make a decent living. To supplement his farm income, Teichrob worked for La Crete Transport for 20 years, delivering goods to the area. When he saw that the local UFA Petroleum Agency was looking for a new agent, he jumped at the opportunity.
“Running the agency gave me the ability to continue farming, with added flexibility. I was also serving people in the community which meant a lot to me,” says Teichrob.
Teichrob sings the praises of his employees who he says make all the difference. A good thing, since many of his employees are his own kids. Teichrob and wife, Linda, have ten children of their own; Shannon, Tanis, Amy, Brennan, Nathan, Cassie, Lindsey, Bethany, Matthew and Kyle, so there is no shortage when it comes to labour. “Running the agency and the convenience store has provided even more opportunity for me to work alongside my kids. Many of them have worked at the agency at one time or another. Nathan, Cassie, Lindsey and Bethany currently work with me, and Shannon works in the office and it’s a joy to be able to spend even more time together, especially given all that is going on in the world right now.”
Back in 1989, Teichrob’s father-in-law, Martin Weiler was the president at Co-op. When Co-op sold to UFA, Weiler was elected as the UFA delegate for the area, a position he proudly held for seven years. Truth be told, Weiler is a bit of a local legend, having spent a lifetime advocating for services to La Crete farmers and businesses. Today, Weiler is often a topic of conversation and stories when the locals stop in for coffee and ice cream. Weiler and Teichrob share a special bond. Originally, they went into the business together and today, even though Weiler is retired, he still enjoys advocating, but chooses to spend most of his time training the grandchildren and handing out treats. “Having been retired for many years, working part-time gives him a reason to stand up in the morning,” jokes Teichrob. “But despite being 80 years old, he’s got more energy than most! In fact, I hope to have the energy and memory that he does…I wish I had it now.”
Teichrob says the best part about the past 15 years has been serving customers. “I’m a bit of a people person, and I have enjoyed meeting so many new people over the years. Make no mistake, competition is tough, and when you’re a farmer, every penny adds up in your pocket. At the end of the day, farming is still a business,” he says. “There have been more ups than downs though and overall, it’s been great to be of service to fellow farmers. But I am looking forward to less paperwork while being able to continue giving back to the community.”
Teichrob is giving back to the community, to the tune of $1500.00. The donation is in recognition of his years of service to UFA and is going to the La Crete Chamber of Commerce in order to build a Remembrance Day memorial at Jubliee Park. “The Chamber does so much good for our community and being that there’s nothing in town honouring Remembrance Day or Veterans, we wanted our donation to go towards that,” says Teichrob.
On behalf of UFA, congratulations to George and Linda Teichrob on 15 years of service at UFA Petroleum Agents. We wish you all the best in the coming year, and we will be sure to drop by for some of your famous soft-serve ice cream and perhaps a story or two.
