Bruce Schneider
Bruce was born September 13, 1947, in Portland, Oregon. After graduating high school, he went on to attend the University of Oregon where he also played football as an offensive lineman while earning his degree in business. In 1988, he and his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Mueller, were reunited and were married on May 26, 1990. The two have five children between them from previous marriages; Paul, Juli, Lynne, Mike, and Erich; all have gone on to pursue their dreams outside the towing industry. They also have two grandchildren, Taylor, 3 years old, and Hannah, 2 months old.
Bruce received his Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of Oregon in 1969. In 1972, he purchased Newhouse & Hutchins Towing, which was one of the oldest tow companies in Portland, having been founded in 1937.
After purchasing Newhouse & Hutchins Towing, Bruce became an active member of the Northwest Towing Association. In May of 1972, the IndependentTowers of Oregon was formed and Bruce became an active member of that as well. In December of 1978, Bruce helped found the Oregon Tow Truck Association which was a merger of both the Northwest Towing Association and the IndependentTowers of Oregon. He has served the O.T.T.A. in many capacities over the years and will continue to do so in the years to come. Bruce was one of the three founding fathers of the TRAA in 1979 and also helped in the formation of Tow Times Magazine.
Currently, Bruce is an active member of the City of Portland Tow Review Board, the Metropolitan Business Association (past president), the American Recovery Association, Time Finance Adjusters, National Finance Adjusters, and the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum. He is also a member of the order of the “O” (The University of Oregon Football Club, The Duck Club), along with being one of the larger supporters of the Ducks.
Bruce has received various awards and recognition for coaching youth football and High School Track & Field. In an effort to promote support for school sports, several of Newhouse & Hutchins trucks are painted and lettered in different school colors and logos. They also have one large wrecker that is called the Spirit of Oregon because of its mural on both sides that depict Mt.Hood to the OregonCoast.
Bruce hopes to continue to be active within the industry as well as in his community.
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HALL OF FAME NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Tow Equipment/Product Innovation
Innovation of a product sold in the marketplace that has helped move the industry forward. Candidate must have a minimum of 10 years of service to the industry.
Exemplary Dedication
Candidate must have 20 years running a towing business in an outstanding and exemplary manner, promoting a positive image of the towing industry and have positive relations with the community, i.e., performing services for the community about and beyond the services for hire. Limit: One inductee per year.
Industry Leadership
Leadership involved with an outstanding project that has had a dynamic and lasting effect on the towing industry. Candidate must have minimum 10 years service to the towing industry.
Professional Achievement
Creating a product or service of any kind that has had a significant and lasting effect on thousands of towing professionals. Candidate Must have a minimum of 10 years to the industry.