Biber, Sr., Paul
| Paul Biber, Sr. – (1993) |
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PAUL
BIBER SR.
Back in 1935 at age 14, Paul Biber took the advice of the noted American who recommended “GO WEST YOUNG MAN – GO WEST!”. It was an endeavor to find a steady job with decent pay, which were sadly lacking for 14 year olds in 1935 in Lorain, Ohio. When hired as a Gandy Dancer by the Northern Pacific Railroad he located in the great state of Montana. Three years later, at age 18 with his pockets filled, he returned to East 30th St. in South Lorain replete with his certificate from the Hobo Alumni Association of America proudly certifying Paul as a member in good standing, sharing with others the dedication to the preservation of the American Railroad Hobo spirit. Still a fierce competitor to this day, with a grin from ear to ear and a slight chuckle, Paul will aver he was one of the premier Gandy Dancers of his time.
When Paul returned to Lorain for the 1938 football season, he was a rawboned 178lb., 6’4″ offensive end and defensive tackle, who played both ways and impressed his coaches with his zest for competition. The 1938 record was 8-1-1, which included a sweet 13-12 victory over Elyria’a “greatest team” in the season finale, and garnered the Lake Erie League title. With Biber playing an even more prominent role in 1939, the undefeated Lavender squad went 8-0-2, captured the league title and destroyed unbeaten and untied Akron St. Vincents in a post season charity game for the Mary Lee Tucker fund.
An eight year skein of Sandusky dominance was annihilated with a 32-13 romp, but the real barnburner was a 27-27 tie with Cleveland Shaw. Trailing Shaw 21-7 at halftime, 28-7 at the end of the 3rd quarter, the Lavenders roared back in the final quarter to tie the game with little time left. Regaining possession they pounded within Shaw’s ten yard line and on the last play of the game a pass to a diving Biber glanced off his fingers in the rear of the endzone. It was one of Pauls greatest games and his outstanding efforts and enthusiasm were instrumental in Lorain’s rally. He was named to the 1939 All Lake Erie League team.
In 1941, Paul Brown visited the Biber home to recruit Paul for Ohio State. Paul had already decided to play for Harry Stuhldreher at Wisconsin where he captained the 1941 freshman team.
In February 1942 Paul was inducted into the service. His most vivid experience as a member of the 819th Engineers occurred near Utah Beach on June 6, 1944 when his group constructed the first airfield in Normandy, France in one day for incoming P-51’s and P-47’s. The 819th Engineers were awarded a Presidential Citation for this accomplishment.
Returning to Lorain after completing his army stretch, Biber went to work for McDowell Engineering and Construction out of Cleveland. Having played varsity basketball as a senior, Paul decided to return to the roundball court to play with Joe Paysor, Wilbur Couen, the Weber brothers and others on the Standard Cleaners in the late 1940’s. With the help of Bibers strong rebounding the quintet won Lorain, Elyria and County Class A togas four consecutive years and during that skein they won the Sectional AAU in Cleveland.
Paul moved on to the Huszti Cafe five in the early 1950’s to continue his fine rebounding and defense for a team that won city, county and YMCA Class A trophies for 3 consecutive years. Not bad for a Gandy Dancer!
