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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Ronald ‘Ron’ L. Matthews

Elected: April 5, 2001 Inducted: August 17, 2001 Born: January 6, 1950 in Pekin, Illinois Married the former Melanie Hilst on February 5, 1971 in Pekin, Illinois. Together… Read More

Paul A. Rottinghaus

Elected: April 5, 2001 Inducted: August 17, 2001 Born: January 29, 1952 Paul first entered the industry in 1974 as manager for Zip’s Auto Body of New Hampton,… Read More

John L. Hawkins III

Elected: April 5, 2001 Inducted: August 17, 2001 Born: February 3, 1951 John L. Hawkins III, married Karen in September 1981 and together they are raising two children,… Read More

John E. Borowski, Jr.

Elected: April 5, 2001 Inducted: August 17, 2001 Born: March 11, 1955 – Holyoke, Massachusetts Like so many others, John followed his father into towing and recovery as… Read More

W. Franklin ‘Frank’ 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