Ted Riback Family
Moishe Aaron Riback, who became known as Ted, was born on July 4,1910 in Pueblo, Colorado. His parents were Jacob Riback and Sadie Black. His brothers and sisters were Alex Riback, Elsie Maerov and Frank Riback. The family moved to Portland, Oregon, when the children were still very young.
In June,1930, at the age of 20, Ted Riback moved to Calgary and got a job washing cars at the Blue Boys Esso service station at 11th Avenue and First Street W. As a young man he was active as an advisor to AZA and as a member of B’nai B’rith and the Masonic Order.
Betty Riback was born Rebecca Levin on June 16,1913 in Winnipeg to Bertha (Bat-Sheva) Shuer and Avram Levin. She had two brothers, Nathan and Moishe (known as Corky) and two sisters, Sally Levin and Bertha Solomon.
Betty moved to Calgary in the early thirties, living with her aunt and uncle, Sarah and Jacob Dubisky, and working in their confectionery.
Ted and Betty met at a Young Judea convention in Calgary in December,1932, and were married December 9,1934 in the home of Sam and Schefra Maerov on 5th Avenue W. (Ted’s sister Elsie had married Rubin Maerov.) Their first home was above a plumbing company on 17th Avenue W.
Their first child, Faith, was born October2,1935, and Donna was born July 13,1938. For a brief period in the late 40’s there were two more children-Marek and Lucia Janasz, who were brought to Canada after the war with hundreds of other displaced children.
Ted’s business career took off after 1938. He worked his way up in the staff at the Blue Boys service station, and eventually he and partner Ed Lovo were able to buy the business from Ernie McCullough of Maclin Ford.
They called their service station Ed and Ted’s. They soon purchased two more stations, Central Park Service and Three Star Service.
Ted volunteered for the Army when Canada declared war in 1939, but was soon discharged after a medical exam indicated he had ulcers. His involvement in recapping and vulcanizing war-rationed rubber tires led to the opening of United Tire Company at 8th Street and 8th Avenue W.
He became involved in other products and soon ran out of space. He joined forces with the Hector brothers (Sam, Max and Morris) who had an available building and opened a war surplus store. They called it Ribtor, after Riback and Hector.
Soon another business was begun-buying and selling portable toilets. Ted Riback and Bruce Nodwell, with Imperial Oil as their first big customer, became pioneers in the portable camp building industry.
Another major business venture followed: United Trailer Company, which pioneered the mobile home industry in Western Canada.
Both Ted and Betty Riback supported many Jewish organizations, con- tributing not only time and dollars, but also their home for numerous large dinner groups. Catering was never considered; Betty cooked beautifully, always putting a tasteful touch on everything from food presentation to centerpieces.
Some of the recipients of their voluntary efforts were the House of Israel community building and Beth Israel Synagogue, including Sisterhood, Gentlemen’s Dinner, and chairing the building committee of the new 66th Avenue building in 1960.
They were also active in United Jewish Appeal, State of Israel Bonds, Jewish National Fund, Hadassah, National Council of Jewish Women, B’nai B’rith and Camp B’nai B’rith.
Ted was founder of the Calgary (Community) Foundation and Junior Achievement. He was involved with Rotary, the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Ted and Betty Riback have received many honors over the years for their community involvement.
Ted and Betty Riback now live in Rancho Mirage, California. They have five grandchildren: Cheryl Green Ockrant, Howard Green, Adam Green, Tevy Grunberg and Mia Riback. Their six great-grandchildren are Jordan, Matthew, Bradley and Gavin Ockrant, and Bradley and Robin Green.
