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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W. Franklin Thomas, Jr.

Elected: April 5, 2001 Inducted: August 17, 2001 Born: September 13, 1924 Married the former Mildred Louise Tuttle on July 28, 1945. Together they have raised four children,… Read More

Dewey A. Farrington

Elected: April 5, 2001 Inducted: August 17, 2001 Born: 1940 Dewey Farrington married the former Mary Ann Bradstreet on January 31, 1962 in Bethany, Oklahoma. Together they have… Read More

Robert F. Hoppes, Sr.

Elected: April 13, 2002 Inducted: September 27, 2002 Born in 1924 in Portland, Michigan, he and his wife were married for almost 50 years and together they raised… Read More

Marty D. Oppenlander

Elected: April 13, 2002 Inducted: September 27, 2002 Marty has been married to Bobbie, his high school sweetheart for 30 years. Together they have three daughters, Kelly, Michelle… Read More

Gary W. Rouse

Elected: April 13, 2002 Inducted: September 27, 2002 Born May 19, 1953 in Grand Island, Nebraska and married Sharon Kiburz 1972. Together they have raised three children, Holli… Read More

Duane V. Coonrod

Elected: April 13, 2002 Inducted: September 27, 2002 Born January 23, 1935, Duane literally grew up in the towing and recovery business. His father and mother, the late… Read More

Dennis B. Brewer

Elected: April 13, 2002 Inducted: September 27, 2002 Born in 1943 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Dennis married Nancy and together they have raised two daughters, Jodi and Lori,… Read More

David G. Ross

Elected: April 13, 2002 Inducted: September 27, 2002 Born and raised in Eastern Canada, David married his sweetheart Lynne and together they have raised three children, Christopher, Michael… Read More

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

Arden D. Bowman, Jr.

Elected: April 13, 2002 Inducted: September 27, 2002 Arden Bowman, Jr. was born in November 1943 in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1964 he married the former Janetta Burcham and… Read More

Steven L. Calitri

Elected: January 15, 2003 Inducted: October 18, 2003 Born: January 27, 1952 in Teaneck, New Jersey Steve and his wife Norma have no children, however, Steve is raising… Read More

Remigiusz Witkowski

Elected: January 15, 2003 Inducted: October 18, 2003 Born: February 15, 1949 in Lode, Poland Married to Leokadia, they have 2 children, Tomase (Tom) and Pawel (Paul) who… Read More