Jim Klopfenstein at KMUZ, 2018 September 6 & 20, 2018 Episodes.
Day Heating & Cooling has been keeping Salem folks and businesses warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and shiny with metal fabrications since 1935. Jim Klopfenstein, the current general manager, joined us in the studio to share with us the history of his family in this long-time Salem business. Jim's father Richard began working with the company in 1954. Richard and his wife Jean later purchased the business which has been the lifeblood of this family for more than 40 years.
Day Heating & Cooling has been keeping Salem folks and businesses warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and shiny with metal fabrications since 1935. Jim Klopfenstein, the current general manager, joined us in the studio to share with us the history of his family in this long-time Salem business. Jim's father Richard began working with the company in 1954. Richard and his wife Jean later purchased the business which has been the lifeblood of this family for more than 40 years.
Day Heating Company on Division Street NE, seen with the frequent locomotives, c1970 [All Photos: Klopfenstein Family] Day Heating Company began in 1935 under Van VanWyngarden and his brother-in-law, Sydney Day. In choosing the company name, they determined that the name "Day Heating" would probably be easier to say and remember than other options. When the son of Van Van Wyngarden, Bruce, chose to retire from operating the company in 1983, Richard and Jean Klopfenstein stepped out in faith and purchased the company for which Richard had worked almost 30 years. Jim has fond memories of watching his parents working at their dining room table to complete bookkeeping and other business tasks.
Over the years, many family members would become involved in the day-to-day operations of this heating/cooling and metal fabrication concern--some short term and others much longer. Today, son Jim, his wife Susanna, sister Sue and her husband Gene Lorenzen are all actively involved. Dad Richard is still available for the occasional consult, and the warm spirit of Mom Jean, who passed away in December 2017, still enhances the office ambience.
Over the years, many family members would become involved in the day-to-day operations of this heating/cooling and metal fabrication concern--some short term and others much longer. Today, son Jim, his wife Susanna, sister Sue and her husband Gene Lorenzen are all actively involved. Dad Richard is still available for the occasional consult, and the warm spirit of Mom Jean, who passed away in December 2017, still enhances the office ambience.
 Richard Klopfenstein (seated) and employee check out "new" computer, c1992 |  Jean Klopfenstein (standing) and daughter Sue hold down the office, c1992. |
Jim Klopfenstein, c1992, installing new computer equipment. Jim shared that his paternal ancestors are of Swiss-German heritage and immigrated for religious freedom after being cast out of other countries. He believes his mother's family was originally from Hungary. Dad grew up in the Silverton area and Mom in Portland. Jim told us of growing up in the rural area of northeast Salem and the surrounding Silverton hills. His family had a small, 40-acre farm off Lardon Road, but several relatives and friends--Kuenzi, Kaufman, Hines, Simmons--owned larger working farms nearby. Besides doing his share of chores on the family place, Jim also worked on these neighboring farms, learning more about management practices as he grew. After studying accounting at Oregon State University, he worked as a CPA for a large firm in Portland where he assisted many northwest agricultural businesses. Soon the travel and work schedule wore thin with his young family, and he was pleased to permanently join the family business in 1992.
Klopfenstein Family: (back) Lori & Sue; (front) Jim, Jean & Richard, c1983 The memories Jim shared of growing up in Salem mirror many of those his contemporaries have reported--going to the movies with his buddies, being involved with his church youth group, and working hard both at school and on the farms. Jim went to the same elementary school, Middle Grove, for all six grades, and attended Salem Academy for 7th through 12th grades. He remembers that Silverton Road was just a two-lane gravel road, and that Lancaster Drive was on the very outskirts of town. His grandparents farm was located where now McKay High School sits. Other vivid memories include the smell of popcorn at the old Sears building, greatly anticipating the State Fair every year, and the swelling patriotism he felt when the Liberty Train arrived in 1976 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebration.
We find it truly an honor to get to know these local business owners and document their stories of pursuing their dreams through the years and continuing to serve Salem. They all demonstrate a commitment to good service, to their reputation of integrity, to their families, and to our community. Each such company weaves an inextricable thread throughout the historic fabric of the mid-Willamette Valley. What a privilege it is to share this legacy.
~~Posted by Deb Meaghers
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