Waldameer Says Goodbye To Beloved “Barfman”

Ralph “Chuck” Heaver, who has been Waldameer Park’s chief vomit cleaner for more than 60 years, is retiring at the end of this summer season. “It’s been a great ride,” said Heaver, who began working at the park while he was a high school student. “I still remember my interview back in 1962. I sat down in front of Mr. Alex Moeller, who owned the park at the time, and he looked me in the eyes and said, ‘I know a good vomit collector when I see one. As long as Waldameer serves food and has spinning rides, you’ll always have a job here,’ and he handed me my first wooden bucket, and sent me right over to the Comet.”

Heaver continued, “Back then, throwing up on rides was not much of a problem. But now that the rides and gotten higher and more intense, there’s more call for what we call a ‘bucket man’, even though my official title is ‘Emesis Removal Engineer.’”

Heaver currently has two summer interns working under him, but is not sure either of them will be able to replace him. “Kids today just don’t want to scrape fetid barf. I think it’s a generational thing. When I started, I couldn’t wait to start mopping for $1.15/hour. I used to ask the operator of the Paratrooper to make the ride go faster so I’d have more work to do.”

Heaver is currently stationed at the Tilt-a-Whirl, but is ready to be called to any ride on a moment’s notice. “Well, I just got a call to head over to the Spider. Right after lunch is my busiest time.