For the past 14 years Riponâs Santa has been played by âTuba Danâ Jerabek with his wife, Lila, at his side as Mrs. Claus.
Riponâs first Santa Claus was Arthur E. Steinbring (1879-1950), who spent every December for 47 years playing Santa Claus.
Steinbringâs father died when he was less than 2 years old and his mother committed suicide when he was 8. Steinbring was taken care of by his maternal grandmother until she died when he was 12 years old leaving him an orphan. Completing only the fifth grade Steinbring worked various jobs as a young boy in order to make money. At 12 years old he started working at Demingâs Shoe Store as a clerk and shoemakerâs apprentice for $1 a week.The owner let him live above the shoe store.