The Petaluma Argus-Courier

Van Bebber Bros.: Petaluma’s Oldest Family-Owned Business

For more than a century, Van Bebber Bros. has been part of Petaluma’s working history, built on family leadership, quality work, and a long-standing commitment to service.

The founders and successive generations of family members who have led to the prosperity of steel supply firm Van Bebber Bros., Inc. — Petaluma’s oldest family-owned business — could accurately be referred to as “men of steel.” That said, the tensile strength behind Petaluma’s longest-serving family-owned business lies not only in the products it manufactures, but in the Van Bebber family’s valued commitment to service.

The truest test of mettle and the secret of longevity for the firm comes from its leadership, beginning with brothers George W. and Fred E. Van Bebber, who established the business in 1901. The original operation included blacksmith work, buggy and wagon repair, and ironwork. That leadership has continued through the generations that followed.

Royce L. Van Bebber, grandson of George W. and grandfather of current company president Royce R. Van Bebber, started working in the business at a young age. He began by sweeping floors and doing wheelbarrow work when he was eight years old. By the time he was ten, he was running a lathe. As he got older, he worked after school and throughout summer vacations, never doubting that he wanted to remain part of the family business.

Along with his father, Royce was active in the Boy Scouts of America and spent summers at Camp Noyo, a Boy Scout retreat in Mendocino County accessible by the Skunk Train. He became an Eagle Scout, one of his proudest achievements, after earning his swimming merit badge at Boyes Hot Springs resort when no pool was available in Petaluma.

After graduating from Petaluma High School in 1949, Royce was hired full-time. The following year, he and his wife, Carolee Kroft, were married. They raised four children — Cindy, Linda, Rick, and Cheri — in the home Royce and his father built in 1953. Soon after joining the family business, Royce was thrust into a position of responsibility managing the shop and supervising machine and fabrication operations.

Sticking to a rigid business plan, Royce had every day planned out. He had to be prepared in case any of the local feed mills and businesses had breakdowns. As widespread growth took over, Van Bebber Bros. expanded its buildings, added more sophisticated machinery, and undertook much larger projects.

The business was originally located at 215 East Washington Street before relocating several times. The firm moved to 246 Main Street, now Petaluma Boulevard North, in 1918. In the mid-1920s, George’s son Alvin, a Stanford University graduate, joined the firm, soon followed by his younger brother George E. “Ellie” Van Bebber.

During the Depression, the company survived by doing repair work for local farmers, feed mills, and rock crushers before expanding into stainless steel and accepting larger fabrication jobs. During the war years, Ellie Van Bebber taught arc welding to prospective shipyard workers while Van Bebber Bros. worked on government contracts.

With an eye toward future expansion, a four-acre parcel at 729 Third Street, now Petaluma Boulevard South, was purchased. Due to the company’s conservative philosophy, the move did not occur until 1956. The back of the Third Street property along the waterfront was later put to good use when Ellie Van Bebber donated it in 1948 to the newly formed Petaluma Yacht Club for a clubhouse, boat launching ramp, and dock.

Rick Van Bebber joined the firm in 1973 after graduating from Petaluma High School, becoming the fourth-generation family member to become president. He oversaw daily operations and continued growth along with additional machinery. Following his death in 2015, Rick’s son, Royce R. Van Bebber, took charge, extending the family operation to five generations.

Longtime residents will also remember local plumbing contractor Park Van Bebber, brother of George and Fred. His son, Norman Van Bebber, followed a path of public service similar to his uncle George, who served 12 years on the Petaluma City Council. Norman was a member of the City Council from 1957 until he was elected mayor in 1963.

Although Royce no longer skis, he remains the patriarch of one of Petaluma’s most admired families, enjoying his nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. With a gentle smile, he said, “I’m happy that I’ve done everything I’ve ever wanted to do.”