Labor stalwart John Ebeling honored with Robert O. Kortkamp Humanitarian Award

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Correspondent

John Ebeling, a stalwart in the St. Louis Labor Movement for seven decades, has been honored with the Missouri Alliance for Retired Americans (MOARA) Robert O. Kortkamp Humanitarian Award.

He was presented with the award at an Aug. 25 luncheon at Christy’s Banquet Center in St. Louis. MOARA had chosen him for the award two years ago, but had to cancel the awards banquet twice during that time because of the COVID pandemic.

The luncheon celebrates the enduring commitment of former St. Louis Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Bob Kortkamp, who was a champion for working people and one of the founders of the Alliance.

70-YEAR UNION MEMBER
Ebeling, a third-generation typesetter and 70-year union member, served as vice president of the CWA Print and Media Sector and as vice president of the St. Louis Labor Council for 44 years. He retired from the council in 2019.

Labor Council President Pat White introduced Ebeling at the awards luncheon. White recalled attending his first council meeting when he was in his 30s and meeting Ebeling for the first time.

MOST WELCOMING
“He was the most welcoming of everyone on the council,” White said. “He cared about you and your family and was one of the true gentlemen of the Labor Movement. He was always there and never missed a meeting, and I know it pained him to give up that spot on the board when he retired.”

Ebeling graciously accepted the Kortkamp award and thanked those who helped him along the way.

HELPED ALONG THE WAY
“You don’t do anything by yourself,” he said. “So many people have helped me along the way the past 70 years. I share the award with everyone in the room.”

Ebeling began his apprenticeship with Typographical Union Local 8 in 1952 at Mendle Printing Company and has seen the evolution of the printing industry and the union he serves.

After leaving Mendle, Ebeling continued his apprenticeship and worked at the Wellston Journal, the Stockyard Reporter and the Daily Record. His apprenticeship was interrupted by four years of active duty in the Naval Air Reserve.

Ebeling spent 13 years as the Daily Record chapel chairperson and served on the executive committee of Local 8’s board of trustees and the local’s organizing and bargaining committees. In 1975, he was elected Local 8’s president.

In 1987, when the International Typographical Union (ITU) merged with the Communications Workers of America and formed the Printing, Publishing and Media Workers Sector, Ebeling became vice president of that sector.

ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY
In addition to being a longtime union member and Labor leader, Ebeling is an active member of Christ Prince of Peace Parish and a 4^th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Ebeling’s wife, Elaine, passed away 24 years ago. He has five children, 17 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.