Ron Surface, a local resident of Ness City, KS has a truly unique hobby as a clockmaker.

Ron began crafting his skill in 1974 and since has perfected the wooden clocks, carving, and shaping each one to be its own work of art. Each one is detailed with various pictures, landscape scenes, animals, and many displaying Kansans’ favorites such as pheasants and buffalo. He also crafts many for special occasions such as graduations, family portraits, and memorials made for loved ones who have passed.

One of his newest clocks, that many of our members can probably relate to was inspired by the December 15, 2021, windstorm, and fires that destroyed the Alamota area. Early in his life, he helped build bridges, so was intrigued by the bridge that burnt during the fire. It is evident how much care, pride, and love he puts into each piece.

Surface initially tried to make a living solely with his clocks. Realizing that he needed to supplement his income, he worked driving a water tanker until he retired. Now being a retiree for the past few years, he’s happy to have his hobby which keeps him plenty busy!

Throughout the years, he has sold his clocks in around 80 restaurants throughout the U.S. Locally, he still has some displayed and for sale at the Cactus Club in Ness City to advertise his work. He takes individual orders, crafting whatever occasion or design customers want.

Surface says he is inspired by his hobby. “I just love doing it and don’t do it for the money. I don’t want to make a living of it, maybe a little, but I enjoy doing something that’s nice, that people enjoy. That’s my purpose of this.”

Thank you, Ron, for sharing your talent with us and our members.

 (Our goal of this article is to focus on our member’s unique talent, buf if you would like to purchase a clock, contact Surface at 785-798-3163.)