By Daniel McGonigle
Argus Managing Editor
When Walt Breeser saw a man under a shade tree wearing a white shirt cutting someone’s hair on a fine spring day many years ago, he said to himself “that’s the life for me.”
Up to that point Breeser, or “Barber Walt” as he is known to some of his friends in New Albin, had worked a variety of odd jobs, never quite finding the right fit.
“I thought ‘if that guy can do it, so can I,’” recalls Breeser.
That was way back in the late 1940’s.
Breeser, who had only finished up through an eighth grade education, completed his GED so that he could get licensed in being a barber.
“I went up to the guy and asked him ‘how do I get a job like you’ve got,’” said Breeser.
When taking his GED test, he came to the question What is the square root of 81?
“I had never even heard of a square root,” laughed Breeser.
Unsure of how to answer the question, Breeser resorted to that tried and true method for testing...sloppy handwriting.
“I guess they couldn’t read my handwriting so they passed me,” he laughed.
With his GED diploma in hand, Breeser set out to become a barber.
In 1952, with two small children and a wife to support, Breeser realized his dream and opened a barber shop in New Albin.
Actually, the shop was opened in the same location where it remains today.
“I moved across the street to where the community center building is now,” recalls Breeser. “They kicked me out of there so I moved back here.”
“Luckily this building was still empty,” added Breeser’s wife Phyllis.
Recognized by “Our Iowa” magazine
Breeser is one of 10 finalists for the “Best barber in Iowa contest” in a magazine called “Our Iowa.”
He was nominated by his friend, and loyal customer Berdell Meiners.
“My cousin had a copy of this magazine,” said Meiners. “I sent in a write up about Walt and they chose him as one of the finalists.”
The competition will be held in Ames, Iowa on Feb. 16. The Breesers’ oldest daughter (they went on to have four children, though lost one to leukemia) will drive them to the competition.
“It is relaxing sitting in Walt’s barber chair and to hear the local news and friendly conversation,” said Meiners. “His clients are from Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and passers through New Albin.”
The finalists in the best barber contest will be judged in three categories, speed, overall quality of the cut and ability to make conversation.
When asked “what will you talk about Walt,” Breeser replied: “Oh, I suppose I’ll talk about New Albin, where New Albin is. It’s the only part of the state where you can stand with one foot in Iowa, one foot in Minnesota and still see the hills of Wisconsin.”
Breeser is the only barber from “this part of the country.”
The other competitors hail from Freemont, Jewel, Audobon, Mason City and Maynard, Iowa just to name a few.
Breeser wasn’t sure if his 63 years in business is more than any of the other competitors, but at 88 years old, chances are he could be the oldest competitor.
“Except for the quadruple heart bypass surgery that he had on his 79th birthday, he is in his shop every day,” said Meiners. “He is very loyal to his state of Iowa. A bet is going on in town to see who will be in business the longest, Walt, or the local garage man, both 88 years young.”
Over the years
Walt and his wife also have nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. While his license is up for renewal this June, Walt isn’t quite sure he’s ready to walk away from the business which has been such a big part of his life all these years.
“I can still cut hair even without a license,” he stated. “I just can’t charge.”
To this day his price is $5.00 a cut. When he started a cut was .50 cents, then a dollar, then a dollar-and-fifty and later three dollars.
“Inflation never caught up to Walt,” said Meiners.
Walt recalls a particularly uncooperative customer.
“This kid wouldn’t sit still,” he smiled. “His mother was there and she couldn’t get him to settle down either. So he got down on the floor and I sat on him. Finished the haircut like that. The next time he was in he was the perfect child. He sat so still.”
Walt doesn’t expect his subject for the contest will be that difficult, and if he finishes first out of the ten or last, it is obvious that Walt is a winner.
You can contact Daniel McGonigle at
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