Hall Of Fame

The first Hall of Fame class, inducted in 1986, consisted of 27 members from six countries: Australia, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States. Industry professionals came together and selected individuals who made a difference. To honor those chosen few, the Friends of Towing (now ITRHFM) dedicated an entire section of the museum’s walls for portraits of the inductees.

Today the Hall of Fame has grown to include over 350 distinguished towing professionals with members from:

Australia
Belgium
Canada
Finland
France
Germany

Ireland
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
Poland
Scotland

South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Wales

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ITRHFM- HALL OF FAME NOMINATION FORM

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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.

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William ‘Bill’ Giorgis

Born in November 5, 1960 in Saginaw, Michigan, Bill has close personal ties to his mother, brother, sister, nephews and niece. Bill grew up in a towing family.… Read More

Duane V. Coonrod

Born January 23, 1935, Duane literally grew up in the towing and recovery business. His father and mother, the late Virgil and Lillian Coonrod, started a repair shop… Read More

Dennis B. Brewer

Born in 1943 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Dennis married Nancy and together they have raised two daughters, Jodi and Lori, neither of whom are involved in the towing… Read More

Arden D. Bowman, Jr.

Arden Bowman, Jr. was born in November 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1964 he married the former Janetta Burcham and together they have raised two daughters, Melody Johnson… Read More

W. Franklin ‘Frank’ Thomas, Jr.

September 13, 1924 Married the former Mildred Louise Tuttle on July 28, 1945. Together they have raised four children, one boy and three girls ages 48 to 55… Read More

Paul A. Rottinghaus

January 29, 1952 Paul first entered the industry in 1974 as manager for Zip's Auto Body of New Hampton, Iowa. That same year he married the former Margo… Read More

Ronald ‘Ron’ L. Matthews

January 6, 1950 in Pekin, Illinois Married the former Melanie Hilst on February 5, 1971 in Pekin, Illinois. Together they have raised two boys, Mark who is presently… Read More

Terry R. Humelsine

July 11, 1941 in Hagerstown, Maryland Terry Humelsine first entered the towing and recovery industry while still in high school, working part time and weekends. Following graduation he… Read More

John L. Hawkins III

February 3, 1951 John L. Hawkins III, married Karen in September 1981 and together they are raising two children, Nicole and John IV. John graduated from St. Andrew's… Read More

Dewey A. Farrington

1940 Dewey Farrington married the former Mary Ann Bradstreet on January 31, 1962 in Bethany, Oklahoma. Together they have raised one son who is not involved in the… Read More

Stanley E. Copeland

February 16, 1928 – Bradford West Gwilliambury Township, Ontario Stan Copeland married his wife Muriel in 1952 and together they have raised five girls, Linda Anne, Elizabeth Margaret,… Read More

John E. Borowski, Jr.

March 11, 1955 – Holyoke, Massachusetts Like so many others, John followed his father into towing and recovery as a young man. He married the former Brenda Anderson… Read More