Lighting the Way: Coil celebrates a quarter century at co-op

Journeyman Lineman Rob Coil claims he’s not a people person, but with 25 years at the co-op, he’s seen a lot of changes and has plenty of stories.

But the one he’s a little hesitant to reveal is his own. Luckily, we got him to sit down and spill a bit about his time at Noble REMC and what he does when he’s away from the co-op.

Let’s learn more about Coil: 

WHAT’S YOUR JOURNEY AT THE CO-OP?

I just started off as being an apprentice lineman. There was a tree trimming job open at the time when Kenny [Koenig] was still here, and he said, “Well, if you want to be a lineman, just kind of wait because we’re going to be having an apprentice job open up in six months,” or something like that. So I waited.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WHAT YOU DO? 

Usually, you’re doing something different every day — meeting different members or you might be trenching one day or building line another day, you know. 

WOULD YOU RATHER WORK IN THE EXTREME HEAT OR IN THE FRIGID COLD?

Anymore, I’d rather be hot than cold. When I was younger, I loved the cold. The older I get I hate wearing heavy 

Carhartts and bulky clothes and stuff. I’d rather sweat and be in a t-shirt. 

WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW OR UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? 

I mean people drive by and see five of us standing there and think, “Oh, those guys are just standing around.” They don’t realize the safety aspect, and that might have just been an instance they drove by when we were talking about a job that needed all of us. We might be waiting on getting clearance on something. We’re not just standing there because we’re bored.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WITH YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF THE CO-OP? 

I’m an outdoorsy person, hunting and fishing. I have a daughter who plays travel volleyball, so that takes a large amount of time this time of year. 

ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AROUND HERE?

I actually built a house about 300 yards from where I was raised (south of Albion). I knew I wanted to build there someday, and with working here, you had to live a certain distance, so that worked out perfect anyways. 

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR LIFE? 

Cliché, I guess, but probably my kids. You know, I got one that’s married, and the other one’s getting ready to be a senior next year, so I mean, 

it’s just kind of nice watching how they’ve grown.

WHAT MOVIE HAVE YOU WATCHED THE MOST AMOUNT OF TIMES? 

A lot of the old John Wayne westerns. I just like a lot of his old movies.

WHAT’S ONE BAND THAT YOU COULD LISTEN TO ON REPEAT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?

Probably a draw between AC/DC and Aerosmith. 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE TV SHOW?

I keep wanting to start “Landman,” but I just haven’t done it yet. I don’t sit down and watch a lot of TV, you know, but that looks pretty interesting.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT AND WHAT DO YOU ORDER?

Lalos in Garrett. I usually like a fajita burrito.

WHAT’S ONE THING WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I’m not a big people person. Maybe that wouldn’t surprise nobody. I don’t like interviews. [Laughs.]

I do woodworking at home on the side. My wife wanted a farmhouse table that’s in style, and I wasn’t paying the price for them. I built that and just different stuff that she wants.

My dad did it when I was a kid, and I just kind of played with it over the years.