Diamond Standard Parts, LLC announced that George W. Neat, its longtime crashworthiness testing expert, passed away February 26 in Hingham, Mass at the age of 82. “George, a U.S. DOT Volpe Center Executive, was an integral part of the development our exemplary component test protocols and together with the late James Hackney, Director of Crashworthiness […]
Jack Caldwell Passes Away
California shop owner served in leadership positions on numerous state and national collision repair organizations. On Saturday February 2, John “Jack” Caldwell passed away at the age of 85 years old. Caldwell is survived by three children, Kevin. Kerry, Kelly, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Caldwell was the founder of Autobody by Caldwell in […]
Peter Shaw, Former Thatcham Research Chief Executive Who Stepped Down Last Year, Passes Away
Thatcham Research, the UK-based motor insurers’ automotive research cetner, announced that Peter Shaw, it’s Chief Executive from 2011 until June 2018, passed away on January 24. In a statement, Thatcham Research said, “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Peter Shaw, Chief Executive of Thatcham Research (2011 – 2018) passed away […]
Lee Vetland, NJ Shop Owner and Former Association President, Passes Away
Lee Vetland, owner of Lee’s Auto Body and a past president of the Garden State Automotive Federation, one of the groups that merged to form the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey, passed away on Tuesday, January 1. He was 71 years old. Vetland owned and operated Lee’s Auto Body and Pine Top […]
Bobby Johnson, Texas Collision Repair Shop Owner, Author and Speaker Passes Away
Bobby Wayne Johnson of Woodlawn, Texas passed away September 1st at the age 73. Johnson, the founder of B & J Collision in Jefferson, Texas was a frequent speaker at industry events and wrote extensively about the industry for several trade publications. Johnson was selected as the Bodyshop Business Executive of the Year in 1989. […]
Don Keenan Services Announced
Services have been announced for Don Keenan, who passed away on August 9. A viewing will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21 at the Donohue Funeral Home at 3300 West Chester Pike in Newtown Square, Pa. Another viewing will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Media, at 9:30-10:20 a.m. on […]
Don Keenan, Former CEO of Keenan Auto Body and Past Chair of SCRS, Passes Away
Don Keenan, former CEO of Keenan Auto Body, passed away Thursday, August 9 at the age of 64. Keenan was a participant in numerous industry groups. Keenan graduated from Penn State University in 1975, and received his Masters Degree in Education from Arizona State University in 1978. In 1979 Don joined his father in the […]
AkzoNobel’s Dave Smith Passes Away
AkzoNobel announced that Dave Smith, Regional Sales Leader for the U.S. East Market, passed away May 28. In a statement, the paint system manufacturer said: It is with great sadness that AkzoNobel announces the death of our dear friend and colleague, Dave Smith, who passed away on May 28, 2018. Dave was much respected by […]
Denise Hepler, Former NABC Board Member, Passes Away
Denise Hepler, the former national account manager, replacement relationships for Hertz, and member of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) board of directors, passed away March 21. Hepler, 53, who resided in St. Peters, Mo., managed multiple shop operator accounts for Hertz for several years and represented the company at industry events. Hepler was elected […]
AASP/NJ Board Member William “Billy” Aiello Passes Away
William “Billy” Aiello, 47 of South Plainfield, N.J. passed away surrounded by his family January 30, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Aiello was elected to the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers on NJ (AASP/NJ) Board of Directors in October 2017. Aiello is survived by his wife Kara (Kaskiw) Aiello, his daughter Brooke, […]