NPTC Driver Hall Of Fame 2005

ERWIN L. DEELSNYDER

      Erwin Deelsnyder started driving rigs when he was just 16 years old - without a single day of formal training. He hauled fertilizer and livestock for his father until the family sold the Fulton, Ill. business in 1961 to VanDyke Trucking.
      Deelsnyder continued to drive for VanDyke until 1965 when BOC hired him as a driver. During his long career with BOC, Deelsnyder has logged more than four million miles over five decades without a preventable accident.
      He attends monthly safety meetings, practices Smith driving awareness and stays current with IMSS. His 12-hour days are spent on various routes in the Midwest, including busy areas such as Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis. Deelsnyder says he pays attention to his health and gets adequate rest so he can be alert and observant while on the road.
      He believes yielding to other vehicles prevents accidents. "Much like the tortoise and the hare - slow and steady wins the race," he says.
      Besides driving full time, Deelsnyder is a volunteer fireman, a member of BOC's Accident Review Committee, and a tank inspector. He was BOC's Driver of the Year in 1998.
      "Erwin is truly the professional at all times," his supervisor said. "Erwin is the type of driver every manager wishes they could clone. Honest, friendly, on time, dependable. And he can do everything that needs to be done."
      He and his wife Sandy have been married for 47 years and have two children and one grandchild.
      Up next for Deelsnyder? Fulfilling his dream of buying and restoring a classic car.

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