TRIB TOTAL MEDIA THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017 · 13 — 2 0 1 7 — OurAwardWinning Team… — 1 9 3 7 — Family Owned Since 1937 F A M I L Y O W N E D Gary K. Elsie K. Nick K. Bill K. Mike Bob B. Tom Patty Kevin Kurt Larry Cory Jim Lou Jason Red Bobbie Bob F. Billy D. Len K. Chris K. Scott K. The Kalmar Family and their Employees appreciate all of our customers for your loyalty and support throughout the years! Thank You! RTE. 66, 2 MILES NORTH OF LEECHBURG 724-845-4411 OR 1-800-829-6862 • WWW.KALMARCHEVROLET.COM SALE HOURS: MON., WED., THURS. 8-8 PM • TUES. & FRI. 8-5 PM • SAT. 8-1 PM Silver Award—Best New Auto Dealer - Alle-Kiski KalmarMotor Sales When Rudy Kalmar opened his Hudson sale and service station in 1937, perhaps he had hopes that he was building a business that would be carried on by his children and grandchildren. He probably had no idea that his two sons would someday expand his car dealership to the size it is today, let alone that they would be running advertisements on television. As Rudy was growing up, automobiles were becoming a more widespread means of transportation. He developed an interest in working on them, and in 1929 became a certified mechanic through the Chicago Motor Training School. Rudy married Helen Highfield in 1936 and started his own business the following year. After years of being a mechanic, he planned to provide a good living for his wife and the children they would have someday. His first garage was along old adno=6452825 Route 66 (now Evergreen Road) in Gilpin. He sold and serviced one model of automobile, the Hudson Herraplane. In 1953, Kalmar found out that Route 66 to Kittanning was going to be rerouted, and, again with the help of his father, began building his second garage. Located along the new, improved Route 66, it is still the main section of the Kalmar Motor Sales building today. A family-oriented man, an even greater source of pride than his growing business was Kalmar’s sons, Gary and Len.They helped their father as soon as they were old enough. After school and on weekends, just as their grandfather before them, they did little things around the store and garage and helped pump gas. Following in his father’s footsteps, Gary developed an interest in working on cars. In 1958, he officially started working for his dad as a mechanic. Eventually he was put in charge of the mechanic shop. Len officially started to work for his dad in 1961 doing “a little bit of everything.” The business began to change hands in 1971 when Rudy had a heart attack and underwent heart surgery.With his sons in charge of his business, he could relax and recuperate and was soon back at the garage in his familiar hat, plaid shirt and suspenders. He stayed on with his sons and watched his business grow, leaving the responsibilities of running the business more and more up to them. Gary and Len took the business through many more changes.They enlarged the building several times, adding more garage and office space. A failing American Motors began cutting back the models they had to offer, and long-time customers wanted a better selection of family cars, so Kalmar started selling Pontiacs in 1985 and later added Chevrolets. Through the years, Kalmar Motors has thrived on the dedication of two sons and the father they so loved and respected. Rudy Kalmar proudly watched as his grandsons began to join in his business before he passed away in 1988. He may be gone, but anyone who was familiar with him can still see his legacy. Today there still are generations involved in Rudy’s business, his sons Gary and Len; Gary’s wife, Elsie, and son, Bill; and Len’s sons, Scott and Chris.
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