Recently retired from the IRS, Ron Giebenhain sets up shop in the Athletic Barn on Stone Road

    By Amy Trampush, Newberg Graphic reporter

    Ron Giebenhain has opened a tax practice in his barn.
    The CPA’s business is actually inside of the Athletic Barn, a place on Stone Road where locals  have played games like pickle ball (described as a more player-friendly version of tennis),  basketball and other games for years.
    Giebenhain, 56, retired in September after 30 years with the Internal Revenue Service. He has been farming on his property, now home to his business, part time since 1978.   He plans to serve all those needing accounting help including individuals and businesses and can
 help farmers needing tax preparation, as well.

    "I put in my 30 years and retired with the IRS, but for the last 20 or 25 years I have had this idea  this is what I would do when I retire," he said. "Even when I built the barn I referred to this one  room as my office. It’s been a vision I have had."
    The accountant farms and late in the spring he enjoys custom hay bailing. He also does his own  construction, has horses and still describes himself as a Midwestern farm boy.
    "I have a farm background and can help people with my understanding," he said. "I’m not  specialized, I enjoy that area ..."
    Farmers often face unique financial issues including special rules and the distinction of a hobby versus business designation.
    "I’m up on those kinds of things, what items qualify for deductions, that whole area what you  report, the rules ...," he said.

    Giebenhain grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and graduated from Hamline University. He  has lived in Hawaii and Fort Bragg in North Carolina before serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.  He obtained his master’s degree in business administration from Mankato State College in
 Minnesota and joined the IRS in Minneapolis. Giebenhain and his wife Candy, then moved to Medford in 1973 and to Newberg in 1977.
    "I have been looking forward to this for several years and I’m really pleased to finally be ready to  serve Newberg and Yamhill County in this way," Giebenhain said.
    The CPA offers flexible hours and a quiet country setting with plenty of parking space (even for your horse tractor or truck).

    "I think he’s pretty pleased to be walking only yards from his office to the farm barn, to feed horses on his way in for dinner," Candy said. "It beats driving home from downtown Portland five days a week."
    The business is located at 14752 N.E. Stone Road. For more information call the office number at 503-538-5005
 or e-mail rongiebenhain@teleport.com

Text and photo © 2002 Newberg Graphic  Reprinted by permission