Norbert (Bert) Bertling

Elected:       April 13, 1996

Inducted:    August 16, 1996

Born:            September 2, 1942 – Worthington, Iowa

Married:      Virginia Kuebrich – April 25, 1990 – Las Vegas, Nevada

Children:    Tammy Walkner, Michele Huber, Dennis Bertling & Katherine Lund

History:      Bert, having been raised on a farm near Worthington, Iowa has had a life-long appreciation and love for machinery and heavy equipment, especially towing and recovery equipment.  Bert began working as a mechanic, wrecker and crane operator for Coonrod Wrecker and Crane Service in Cedar Rapids (Virgil Coonrod – Hall of Fame Class of 1994).  After giving 14 years of service to the Coonrods, he worked for Holiday Wrecker and Crane Service in Coralville, Iowa for 4 years.  In 1982 he founded Trebron, Inc. (Norbert spelled in reverse)

Trebron’s original product was an add-on hydraulic stiff-leg.  His heavy recovery experiences with both Coonrod’s and Holiday proved invaluable in the design and installation of these stiff-legs.  Prior to Trebron, Bert had fabricated hydraulic stiff-legs for both Coonrod’s and Holiday.  His design became a model for the towing industry as manufacturers have designed Trebron stiff-leg imitations.  Bert’s next major product contribution to the towing and recovery industry was the Trebron heavy duty underlift.  This product, in addition to being very timely in the industry, was masterfully designed.  In addition to manufacturing add-on equipment, Bert has designed and fabricated hydraulic boom conversions. More recently he has designed and built complete heavy recovery units from “scratch”, customized to fit the needs of individual users.  The quality of design, workmanship and performance of Trebron products are beyond reproach.  After attending tow shows throughout the country and learning about other state towing and recovery associations, Bert, seeing a need for a similar association in the State of Iowa, was instrumental in helping form the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Iowa (T.R.P.I.) in 1983.  Bert served as President from 1984 to 1989 and remains active as a Honorary Board Member.