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You are here: Home / Archives for Obituary

Charlie Hogarty, Former Keystone Automotive CEO and Aftermarket Parts Pioneer, Dies at 84

April 15, 2026 By CollisionWeek Editor Leave a Comment

Charles J. “Charlie” Hogarty, the former president and chief executive officer of Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. who spent more than four decades helping build the aftermarket collision parts industry into a nationally competitive alternative to OEM parts, died April 4, at his home in Altadena, Calif., after what his family described as a courageous battle […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Obituary, People

John Loftus, Former SCRS Executive Director, Dies at 94

February 2, 2026 By CollisionWeek Editor

Loftus was the organization’s founding executive director in 1982 until his retirement in 2000. John J. Loftus Jr., the longtime executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and one of the collision repair industry’s most influential leaders, died Jan. 28 in Santa Clarita, Calif. He was 94. Loftus served as SCRS executive director […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: California Autobody Association, Obituary, People, Society of Collision Repair Specialists

Clark Plucinski, Collision Repair Industry Leader, Passed Away at 75

December 9, 2025 By CollisionWeek Editor

Over a 50+ year career in the collision industry, multi-shop owner later led CREF and CAPA. Clark Plucinski, a collision repair industry veteran who spent five decades advocating for workforce development and education, passed away Nov. 29, after a long battle with cancer. He was 75. Plucinski served as executive director of the Collision Repair […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Obituary, People

Collision Industry Mourns Passing of Industry Leader Doug Webb

September 24, 2025 By CollisionWeek Editor

The collision repair industry has lost one of its most dedicated champions with the passing of Doug Webb on Saturday, September 20. Webb died peacefully at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, after a seven-week battle following complications from a medical procedure. He was surrounded by his loving family, including his wife Bonnie, son John […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Collision Industry Foundation, Collision Repair Education Foundation, I-CAR Education Foundation, National Auto Body Council, Obituary, People

Industry Mourns Passing of Collision Repair Education Pioneer Marcus Essig

April 16, 2025 By CollisionWeek Editor

The collision repair industry has lost a dedicated educator, volunteer and advocate with the passing of Marcus “Marc” Essig on March 30 at the age of 82. Essig, who was surrounded by his wife Nancy of 53 years, daughter Lisa, son Marc Jr., and four grandchildren at the time of his passing, had been diagnosed […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: I-CAR, Obituary, People

Former SCRS and I-CAR Chair Rex Womble Passes Away

November 17, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Rex Womble, who was an active leader in the collision repair industry for more than four decades, passed away November 12th at the age of 90. Womble, the former owner of B&B Body & Paint in Austin, Texas, was a founding member of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the organization’s fifth chairperson, […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Collision Industry Hall of Eagles, I-CAR, Obituary, Society of Collision Repair Specialists

RDA Executive Director Robert McKenzie Passes Away

March 3, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

The Refinish Distributors Alliance announced that Robert McKenzie Jr., the organization’s executive director, passed away February 28 at the age of 61. It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Robert Mckenzie Jr. Executive Director of Refinish Distributors Alliance on February 28, 2023,” the organization said in a statement. “Robert […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Obituary, People, Refinish Distributors Alliance

BendPak Announces Death of Gary Henthorn

March 3, 2023 By CollisionWeek Editor

Son of BendPak founders established Dannmar, MaxJax and Garage Equipment Supply. Gary Henthorn, son of BendPak Inc. owners Don and Ginger Henthorn and himself the founder of automotive service equipment brands Dannmar, Garage Equipment Supply and MaxJax, died surrounded by family and friends at home Feb. 4, 2023, following a courageous battle with cancer. He […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: BendPak, Obituary, People

Mitchell International’s Bano Ramirez Passes Away

February 5, 2021 By CollisionWeek Editor

Bano Ramirez, a member of Mitchell International’s Solution Specialist team, passed away on January 25. Bano touched many lives in his over 40 years in the industry. Bano spent 12 years with Mitchell International and previously owned and operated Bob’s Body and Fender in Van Nuys where he was an active member of the community […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: California Autobody Association, Mitchell International, Obituary, People

FinishMaster Founder Jim White Passes Away

August 31, 2020 By CollisionWeek Editor

FinishMaster announced that its founder Jim F. White passed away August 26 at the age of 101 after an extended battle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. In a blog post announcing his passing, FinishMaster stated, “Today, with heartfelt sadness, we announce the loss of Jim White, beloved founder of FinishMaster.” FinishMaster began on April 25, […]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: FinishMaster, Obituary, People

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