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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Donald L. Rolling

Don traces his path into the towing industry automotive service that began, in 1964. He: bought his first tow truck in 1969 and began to build a towing… Read More

David W. Walsgroove

Before World War II, Dave's father ran a delivery service and repair facility from a small shop on the East side of the Turnpike Road, as it was… Read More

Richard A Stearns

Following military service in Korea, Dick returned to open a service station which quickly expanded into a three station operation. In 1970 he won the "Brand Name Retailer… Read More

Mark R. Parsons

Mike was educated at Dr. Radcliffs' school in Steeple Aston, then went to work as an apprentice for Hartwells of Oxford, the Ford dealer. He moved to Northants… Read More

Jurgen Fieres

Jurgen is a product of the industry as his parent owned and operated a "patrol station" in Langen, near Frankfurt. As a result of their close proximity to… Read More

Jimmy W. Speed

In 1951 and 1952 Jimmy worked at a small independent shop in Snyder, Texas, and his duties included operating the tow truck. He moved to Monahans in 1953… Read More

George M. Lanser

As a small child, George Lanser was fascinated with large trucks. While in military service in World War II, he suffered an injury in battle, which resulted in… Read More

Donna Bookout-Coe

Following her graduation from Bakersfield College in 1961, Donna pursued a career in the legal field. She first entered the towing industry in May of 1978 with the… Read More

Dennis Di Giovanni

As the guiding force behind the emergency road servic industry, Dennis has been an advocate for all Towers, especially those that service the auto club industry. He has… Read More

David F. Humphries

Dave is a graduate engineer and teacher who came to the United States from his native England. He joined the Ernest Holmes Company in 1970 as a Project… Read More

Virgil E. Coonrod

Elected:       April 9, 1994 Inducted:    June 24, 1994 Family:        Virgil E. Coonrod was born on February 21, 1910 in Martelle, Iowa.  Virgil and Lillian Rawson were married on… Read More

Robert L. Surman

Elected:       April 9, 1994 Inducted:    June 24, 1994 Family:        Born January 2, 1931 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  He presently resides in Burnaby, British Columbia with his wife,… Read More

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