The U.S. Custom Harvesters Hall of Fame

INDUCTEES OF USCHI HALL OF FAME

Melvin & Vivian Eyster, Thomas, OK - (2002)

The harvest has always been in Mel’s blood - in the late forties he went on the run with his dad, Ray Eyster, with a pull type combine and a truck that vapor locked and had no hoist. Lodging was not the most comfortable! They slept on cots between two trucks with a tarp stretched over their heads. Melvin seemed to always get the area where there was a hole in the tarp.

In June 1958, Melvin was prepared to begin the harvest run. During the winter, he purchased a truck, a Gleaner “A” combine, and a pickup. He thought best to begin on a small scale and then build up as the jobs materialized. This was a big decision, so Melvin’s brother, Ira Eyster, agreed to go in partnership with Mel. Melvin would operate the harvesting business while Ira would do the farming in Thomas, Oklahoma.

The first year he started with one machine and supporting equipment, but he had no house trailer. A neighbor, Carl Dean Slagell, was eager to be involved in this type of work so he supplied the house trailer. Carl Dean’s wife, Roberta, and son, along with Melvin’s brother-in-law, Dean Kuhns, completed the crew. They all slept in the trailer and since there were not ample beds, some had to sleep on the floor. This sure beat sleeping outside! Roberta was the cook for the crew and so they had three good meals a day. The Slagells went on the harvest run for a few years.

The first trek took them from Sublette, Kansas to Kimball, Nebraska. They returned home in late July. There was time for picnics and reunions, and helping with the farming. Melvin and Ira added to the original number of machines and soon were serious combiners. They were in partnership until the early 70’s when Ira decided to get out of the harvesting business.

Melvin started out with Gleaner A machines, which now look like toys. Each year demanded the latest model - the A’s and C’s, next were the C II’s, the G’s, then the L’s and L II’s, the N’s and R’s and finally the R62’s. He also ran Case and John Deere combines in some of those years.

During the late sixties, Mel was adventurous and decided to head to Montana from Kimball, Nebraska and has continued ever since. Harvesters were glad to see the interstate roads being built, as the machines got larger.

In 1967, Mel’s wife, Vivian, and their three girls, Renae, Kim and Lori, went along on the harvest run. Vivian cooked three meals a day and washed clothes for a total of eight. Vivian stayed home in 1970 when their son, Doug, was born.

Those first years when combines were loaded on truck beds with the headers attached took careful driving. It was a relief for Mel’s wife, Vivian, to finally see the combines loaded on trailers. It was in the early 70’s, during the off-season, Melvin and his welding crew started manufacturing combine trailers.

In the early 80’s, Melvin served on the U.S. Custom Harvester’s Board of Directors and has also served on the Safety Board.

Mel enjoys talking with other harvesters, bragging or complaining about the machines. Each finds some better way to keep those combines running to get the job done.

Some summers, when there has been too much rain or the grain is not quite ready to harvest, there is time for a round of golf with the customers or some of the crew.

All of the family has had opportunity to help on the harvest, as they grew older. His two daughters, Kim and Lori, and his son, Doug, were combine operators while Renae helped her mom in the kitchen prepare food and take to the field to be eaten in record time. A person cuts wheat when you can!

Melvin has had quite a few different nationalities to help on the harvest. They have come from Australia, France, Ireland, South Africa, Denmark, England, and Austria. The 2001 harvest crew was from South Africa and the Eastern United States. Melvin’s son-in-law, Joe Wenger, helps manage and operate the business and Joe’s wife, Lori, former combine operator and mother of four girls, helps in preparing the meals.

Melvin has enjoyed the yearly meeting of the U.S. Custom Harvesters and visiting with men who are in the same business in a more leisurely setting. He sincerely enjoys talking with men who have experienced hard work and knows the satisfaction of a job well done.