It’s not every day you meet someone who has reached the remarkable age of 100. Robert Ebner, a World War II veteran and beloved member of his community, recently celebrated his centennial birthday by doing something he loves: exploring the outdoors with his family. For Ebner and his family, being out in nature isn’t just a pastime — it’s a cherished tradition.
Every fall for the past several years, Ebner has ventured into the woods with the help of an all-terrain outdoor wheelchair transported with an enclosed trailer provided by Access Ability Wisconsin. This fall was no exception. Just a few weeks after his 100th birthday in September, Ebner joined four generations of his family for another memorable outing in early October 2024.
“From our family, it was amazing — it was his fourth trip back into his woods all because of Access Ability Wisconsin,” said David Lorentz, Ebner’s grandson. “The first, about two years back, was the first time in 20 years he had been back in his woods. What a blessing to have four generations in the photo. I love seeing my kiddos at three and almost two (and one on the way) getting to spend time with their great-grandpa and grandparents in the forest. It’s great to hear stories from my grandpa about the woods as he is an honorary member of the Barron County Forestry Board, which he was a part of for many years. Huge thanks to Access Ability Wisconsin for making this dream a reality.”