History


		Fred C. Doppler & Sons, Inc.
		History

What it means to be a Fifty + Year-Old Company...

It means that we will do what we have to do to maintain the good reputation it's taken us 50+ years to earn.
It means that we've developed, and will maintain, the assets required to get your job done in the time we specify on your proposal.
It means that after being here for 53 years -- we plan to be here for another 53 years!

The Story of Fred C. Doppler & Sons, Inc.

The story of a family business is often as much about the family as it is about the business. Here's ours:

Fred Doppler #1
The first Fred Doppler in our story was Fred C. Doppler, who emigrated to the U.S. from Switzerland in 1918. On arriving in this country, he went to work for his older brother Joe, who was a contractor in the Harbor.

After a few years, when he realized higher pay wasn't going to be forthcoming from his big brother, Fred got his union card and struck out on his own as a carpenter. It was during this time that he met and married "the girl next door" -- well, across the street, actually.

A side trip through Vaudeville
Fred decided to bring his mother to America, so he made a trip back to Europe to pick her up. While he was there, he picked up a German Shepherd dog as well -- named Horst. This dog turned out to be one in a million, smart as a whip, and Fred decided to take the dog on the road.

Fred, his wife, and his friend John Dentz took a break from carpentry and toured the Vaudeville circuit with with Horst -- whose stage name was Rex the Wonder Dog. In his time, he was as well-known as Rin-Tin-Tin. His claim to fame was that all his tricks were performed by hand and flag signals, not a work spoken.

Sadly, while they were at home for a rest, Horst was stolen from the fenced yard where he was turned out. They speculate to this day that someone brought along a female to tempt him away -- because he was too mean a dog to get him any other way!

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The old Truck in our ads
During the Depression years of the 30's, carpenter work was hard to come by. Looking for a way to make some money for his family, Fred came upon a truck for sale. He had a little bit of cash on him, but it was the weekend and the banks were closed, and the owner of the truck was determined to sell it to the first person who came along with cash.

Fred went to all of his friends, and none of them would lend him the money till Monday. Then he started through his apartment building, but he was being turned down by everyone he asked.

That is, till he came to a black man, Lonzo Allen, who generously agreed to lend this man he hardly knew the money he needed. On nothing but a handshake, he lent him the money to buy the truck. Fred paid him back on Monday, and to his dying day would fight any man he heard making a racist remark.

And now you know the story behind our famous truck picture!

Fred Doppler #2
Fred C. went back to contracting after the depression. and settled in Northwest Indiana. He was joined in the 50's by his sons Fred P. and Tom, and they concentrated on Home Remodeling, as they do today.

When they incorporated as Fred C. Doppler & Sons, they did it in the town of Bourbon -- with a lawyer named Booze! Since it took them a second try a year later to get the right kind of incorporation, they figure they should have known better than use a Bourbon lawyer named Booze.

When Fred P. retired, he sold the business to his two sons -- for a two-dollar bill -- and he enjoyed retirement till he passed away in 1965. Fred P. and Tom Doppler enjoyed a successful business for decades, and saw their many sons and even a grandson join them in the business.

Fred Doppler #3
When it came time for Fred P. to retire, he sold his share to his son Fred P. Jr., (the Fred you'll be meeting if you call our company today) and in 2000 this Fred acquired his uncle Tom's share as well, becoming the sole owner. Fred Sr. continues to enjoy his retirement in Griffith.

The Fourth Generation -- but no more Freds!
Fred Jr. has since been joined in the business by his sons Chris and Oliver, making this officially a Four-Generation company and once again literally "Fred Doppler & Sons."

They continue to serve our customers throughout Northwest Indiana -- and look forward to building something for you!

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Fred Doppler #1 The first Fred Doppler in our story was Fred C. Doppler, who emigrated to the U.S. from Switzerland in 1918. On arriving in this country, he went to work for his older brother Joe, who was a contractor in the Harbor.

After a few years, when he realized higher pay wasn't going to be forthcoming from his big brother, Fred got his union card and struck out on his own as a carpenter. It was during this time that he met and married "the girl next door" -- well, across the street, actually.

Fred Doppler #2 Fred C. went back to contracting after the depression. and settled in Northwest Indiana. He was joined in the 50's by his sons Fred P. and Tom, and they concentrated on Home Remodeling, as they do today.

When they incorporated as Fred C. Doppler & Sons, they did it in the town of Bourbon -- with a lawyer named Booze! Since it took them a second try a year later to get the right kind of incorporation, they figure they should have known better than use a Bourbon lawyer named Booze.

Fred Doppler #1
The first Fred Doppler in our story was Fred C. Doppler, who emigrated to the U.S. from Switzerland in 1918. On arriving in this country, he went to work for his older brother Joe, who was a contractor in the Harbor.

Fred Doppler #2
Fred C. went back to contracting after the depression. and settled in Northwest Indiana. He was joined in the 50's by his sons Fred P. and Tom, and they concentrated on Home Remodeling, as they do today.