Carrie and Rich Falk bought Vander Hamm Tire Center from Carrie’s mother five years ago. Rich married Carrie Vander Hamm 30 years ago and has been working at the business since before they were wed.

Carrie’s dad, Chuck, told Rich he had to have a good job in order to marry his daughter. They became “best” friends very quickly.

“So far, all of our kids have worked here in some aspect,” said Carrie Falk, owner of Vander Hamm Tires.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, the couple’s oldest son, Danny, worked at Vander Hamm while getting his master’s degree at the University of San Francisco. He is now one of the sales managers.

Son Charlie has worked for the family business since he was 14. “He is so much like my dad,” Carrie says. “It’s kind of funny to see him in the shop.”

Son Chris worked at the store one summer and found this was not what he wanted to do in life. He is now a nuclear electronics technician reactor operator for the U.S. Navy. Carrie says something her father always used to say: “At least he knows how to service a car.”

Son Zack started working at Vander Hamm when he was 15. Since graduating from Pioneer High School in Woodland last year, he has worked 40-plus hours a week.

Son Matthew has his eyes on his mom’s job, but for now he is a camp counselor and will be starting his senior year at Pioneer in the fall.

Daughter Caitlyn helps with filing and organizing.

“She is just like her mother,” Carrie says, “which from my point mv view (is) not bad, since I have been told that I am just like my father!”

Vander Hamm’s employees also have been a part of the family for many years. Doug Webster has worked for the company since 1979. His son, Scott, also works at the tire center with his dad. Blain White has been with the company since 1994 and Cliff Mott since 1998.

“We would be nothing without our community,” Carrie says. “We look forward to many more years.”

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The Falk family, owners of Vander Hamm Goodyear Tire Center, include, from left, Charlie, Rich, Carrie, Zach, Danny and Gentry. Sue Cockrell/Enterprise photo

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