By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

FREEPORT, Ill. — He hails from Juda, Wis., but Roy Schwebe – who is close to 90 – has been a tradition at the annual Stephenson County Fair and Antique Tractor Show in Freeport for several years.
Whether this talented display layout artist will be at this year’s show remains to be seen. Why visitors hope so, and what brings them back to the big shed to see Schwebe’s layout year after year, is the anticipation of watching one man’s creativity in motion.

“Everything is made from scratch. I’ve had ideas since I was eight years old,” Schwebe said.

That was a long time ago, but that creativity just keeps on flowing. His displays have many moving parts that rivet the visitors as they watch, to catch every detail.

His wife, Waneta, used to help with setup, but she passed away eight years ago. His son-in-law Paul and daughter Connie accompany him these days.

“I’m too old to chase women, so I have to have a hobby, “Schwebe quipped. “I’m always putting motors on things to make them run. I’ve used motors out of computers, can openers and VCRs.”

Part of the fun of looking over his layout is checking out the details and mini-dramas happening; for instance, he pointed to one corner of the display, where a car was overturned. His explanation was simple: “A drunk came down the road and wrecked.”

A police car and electric truck are also on the road. His story for the drunken driver has a sad ending, but his barn, equipment and machinery fare much better as the picture of a well-working farm.
Schwebe smiled when asked how he comes up with his ideas. “I’ve got the best imagination of any kid in the country,” he explained.
No one doubts that. The knowledge to carry out his ideas from thoughts to working models probably all began at home on the family farm, where he learned all about the machinery and barns and how everything worked.

“I was brought up in Belvidere (Ill.) and helped farm,” Schwebe said. “I worked in Dekalb (Ill.), then moved to Wisconsin to the farm.”

In fact, over the last few years, he has even kept busy working for a Case IH dealership as a night watchman and janitor. There is no lack of talent, imagination or drive when it comes to Roy Schwebe, and anyone who has seen his work will agree.