Carl Ehry, then president of the RV/MH foundation, which at the time was nearly bankrupt, was told if he wanted to be paid he needed to raise the money himself. He hired Hesselbart in 1994 as vice president and general manager while he went on the road to seek funding.
“Little did I know it at the time, but that turned out to be a life-changing experience,” recalled Hesselbart. He became a one-man show at the struggling facility, keeping books, serving as manager, Carl’s secretary, bookkeeper and janitor. During those years he read voraciously about the MH and RV industries and by the late 1990’s he became the authority on the history of the two industries and was invited to speak at RV rallies and shows. In 1999 when the decision was made to build a new facility, Hesselbart maintained the records for the capital campaign.
One of his career highlights was the invitation to speak at a Chinese Outdoor Lifestyle Show in 2010, establishing him as an authoritative RV historian. And in 2012: “I was even more overwhelmed when I was invited back in 2012 to be one of the keynote speakers at the 1st National China RV Rally.”
As for his future plans, he enjoys sharing his knowledge of the MH and RV industries, and will continue to speak at rallies and shows. Beyond that, he says, “There are too many roads I haven’t traveled and a lot of fish that need catching so I’m going to get behind the wheel of my motorhome and see where the road takes me.”
Darryl Searer, president and chairman of the Foundation, says, “The board of directors and I thank Al for his many years of service to the Foundation. We’re confident that all his dreams will come true on whatever new roads he travels, and we wish him success in his new role as an independent RV historian.” ##
(Photo credit: RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum–Al Hesselbart with his Newell motorhome and Charlie)
