Chuck Bosselman, chairman of The Bosselman Cos., has passed away. He was 67.
Bosselman lost his battle with cancer on Saturday in Grand Island, Nebraska, surrounded by his family. A leader among leaders and visionary of the company, Bosselman was a second-generation business owner. His father, Fred, founded the first Bosselman’s location in 1948. In 1967, Bosselman became general manager of the Grand Island Interstate 80 Bosselman Truck Stop. Bosselman was credited with shaping many of the practices truck drivers find standard today. The Bosselman Travel Centers were among the first to offer showers, movie theaters and fast-food restaurants within a truck stop.
Since then, he was instrumental in establishing the AmBest network of truck stops, authorized the Grandma Max’s Restaurant concept, added several fast food franchises to the company, and in 2011, was a driving force in establishing the Uni-Maxx Truck Care Network, a full service truck repair shop network including the 35 Boss Truck Shops and the 38 Wingfoot Truck Care Centers (owned by Goodyear). This Uni-Maxx Network is now the nation’s second largest truck care network with over 70 locations coast to coast.
Bosselman was recently named the winner of the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) Hall of Fame award and was to receive the honor at the NATSO Show 2012 in Las Vegas in February. The award recognizes individuals for their notable participation in their communities, industry and the association. Bosselman had volunteered for both the NATSO board of directors and the NATSO Foundation.
“We are extremely saddened to lose a visionary such as Chuck, whose incredible energy, charisma, strength and intelligence defined our business,” said son Charlie Bosselman. “Chuck based his business decisions on the foundations of Pride, Cleanliness, Fun, Integrity and Friendliness, and has earned his reputation by hard work, sweat, and commitment to the customer. Chuck’s vision of being the BEST was hard-earned and well-deserved. Chuck did it all to ensure the company’s success – from cleaning restrooms, changing tires, hauling fuel and whatever else has been needed to be done, and would never ask an employee to do what he wasn’t willing to do himself. He will be sorely missed.”
Chuck Bosselman’s children, Charlie Bosselman and Brandi Bosselman Lofing, will continue to lead the company as president and attorney, respectively.
In Grand Island, Bosselman supported many organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Boys Scouts of America and the Girls Scouts of America. The Bosselman family contributed to the conference and convention center at the Heartland Events Center, and has long been associated with the $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes at the Fonner Park horseracing track.
The Bosselman family has also helped Stuhr Museum, Crane Meadows Nature Center, Heartland United Way, Crisis Center, Children’s Miracle Network, MADD, Make-A-Wish Foundation, DARE, Goodwill Industries, College Park, 4-H, Zion Lutheran Church and School, Arthritis Foundation Nebraska Chapter and the National Cancer Society Foundation, among many, many other local and national organizations.
The Bosselman family was recently named the 2011 recipient of the Grand Island Independent’s Community Builder Award, which honors an individual, family or business whose generosity has enriched and improved the community over the years.
Survivors are his wife of 46 years, Jan; son and daughter-in-law, Charlie and Laurie Bosselman; daughter and son-in-law, Brandi and Dustin Lofing all of Grand Island; his mother, Maxine of Grand Island; sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara and Gene Graves of Grand Island and Mary and Scott Sahling of Worms; brother and sister-in-law, Fred A. and Deanna Bosselman of Doniphan; grandchildren, Carsten and Kinsey Bosselman and Spencer, Cooper, Parker and Katie Lofing; sisters-in-law and their spouses, Judy and Lyle Tibbs of Grand Island, Lana Lofgreen of Grand Island, Glenda Unzicker of Phoenix and Bob and Royanne Unzicker of Gering, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
His father, Fred H. Bosselman; mother-in-law, Lee Unzicker and three nephews and a niece preceded him in death.
A celebration of Bosselman’s life will take place on Wednesday in Grand Island, Neb.