KALAMAZOO, Michigan — The roads of life can curve and meander. If only they were as simple as M-43, which, every fall, leads directly to Mr. Rhodes and his farm-side abode.
“We are, according to Michigan State University, perhaps the largest retailer of squash and pumpkin in the state," said Gene Rhodes from his sitting room overlooking his farm.
In October, Gene's farm along M-43 is bright orange pumpkins, crispy fall leaves and visitors trudging through the patch as far as the eye can see.
That's why Gene is better known as "The Pumpkin Man."
“I'm just a little old pumpkin man," he laughed, “and I’m just proud of that."
Gene's grandfather bought the land in '85—"that's 1885," Gene said—making him the third generation to farm upon its soil.
And nothing brings more joy to Gene the Pumpkin Man than the love of his land.
“This is paradise on earth," he said.
The farm began by selling just 500 pounds of pumpkins and squash to get by. Now, each year, when the weather turns cool and Michigan begins to gray, Gene sells 135 tons of pumpkins. And thus, brings to life a world of color.
The same is true inside Gene's home, a little bungalow with a pumpkin stained-glass window on his property. He's stuffed it to the brim with the color orange.
He sits at a carved pumpkin dining table, eats from pumpkin shaped dinnerware and seasons his food with pumpkin salt and pepper shakers. When he's done, he throws away his trash in a pumpkin trash can. His front door has a glass pumpkin window and next to it, pumpkin wallpaper.
Parked out front of his house for all the customers to see, his crowning jewel: a bright orange Cadillac with the license plate "PUMMAN."
"I sleep between orange sheets and under a pumpkin bedspread," he said. "I always liked the color orange."
Every fall, thousands descend upon Gene’s farm. They make traditions — and a new friend.
“People come here and they show me pictures they took of their kids, 10, 15, maybe 25 years ago. You can't buy those memories. Can't be done. I sell a product and give away memories," said Gene.
“I live alone, so I argue with the furniture the other 11 months. If I could just get the customers I have in October to come back in the other 11 months, it'd be so nice.”
Gene plans year-round for autumn. And, in his 88th year, he plans for the autumn of life, too.
“As long as I can function, I'll do this. When I can't function, I’ll wish I could," he said. “No family member wants anything to do with it, but I have a personal friend that does, and so when I die, he probably will take care of it.”
Someday, he hopes to leave behind roots that are deep and a legacy that is simple.
“There's a sign on the barn door, a big sign, a 12-foot sign, that says, ‘Gene the Pumpkin Man’ and the man that's going to take over says that sign will stay. Now, that's getting a little humbling," he smiled.
Because no matter what comes next for Gene, he takes comfort – knowing that it’s not the end of the vine.
“I sincerely believe that when the heaven comes, when I get to heaven, that there will be perfect pumpkins to inspect," Gene said. “If there wasn’t any pumpkins, I'm not sure I want to go."