1924
2015
In Loving Memory... A few of Paul’s favorites Word? Fantastic! Beverage? Diet Dr. Pepper Dessert? Pie Song? How Great Thou Art Sport? Baseball Food? Chicken nuggets Restaurant? Back 40 Junction Fruit? Peaches Team? Cincinnati Reds
Summer 2015 Vol. IX Issue 2
PRIVATELINE Mark Zurcher, from the heart You know… there are some people you think will live forever. George Burns, Billy Graham, Dick Van Dyke, Queen Elizabeth—and Dad. Sadly for loved ones, not one of us is immortal. Each of our days on Earth is numbered. I cannot express the depth of my family’s gratitude for the support of the Best-One community during these weeks following the unexpected death of your friend and my dad, Paul Zurcher. We treasure every phone call, every card, every hug, every memory shared, every charitable gift in his honor, every expression of sympathy. You were his family and he loved you unconditionally. You have returned that love to us in full measure and we appreciate you for that more than I can say. During the memorial service, Dad’s friend Dr. Jay Kesler, past president of Taylor University, encouraged each of us to hold onto the lessons Dad taught us. He had after all a gift for distilling and sharing the wisdom of others, adding to it Continued on Page 2
IN THE PIPELINE Larry Zurcher, looking to the future Dad lived his life abundantly and wide open in accordance with his Nine Principles. And yet because Dad in his wisdom knew he wouldn’t be on Earth forever, Best-One has maintained a succession plan for many years. He left BestOne with a wonderful staff: John Miller, Pete, Dave, Rich, Phil, Corene, Brittney, Jon M, Jon Z, Lindsey, Mike, Tina and Sue. Your staff is focused on carrying out Dad’s vision of making BestOne the leading and most trusted provider of tires and services wherever we do business. I want to assure each partner and every one of your employees that business will continue as usual and that Paul Zurcher’s legacy will live on through Best-One’s continued commitment to those principles and values he held dear. This organization is after all founded on those principles and, above all, it is founded on relationships that Dad and others built over the course Continued on Page 7
Vision
The leading and most trusted provider of tires and services in all of our geographic markets.
Mission
Creating Raving Fans®
Values
Live with integrity, character and passion.
Possess a servant’s attitude. Commit to the pursuit of perfection.
Accept the urgency for accountability and the necessity of change. Raving Fans® is a registered trademark of The Ken Blanchard Companies. The book, Raving Fans, was written in 1993 by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles and published by William Morrow. For More Information about Raving Fans and/or The Ken Blanchard Companies, please visit www.kenblanchard.com. Used herein with permission.
Often quoted Many considered Paul Zurcher a mentor while he, in turn, was a lifelong learner who often quoted others. “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” –Charles Swindoll “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” –Charles F. Stanley “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson “You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself.” –Harvey Firestone “The most essential quality for leadership is not perfection but credibility. People must be able to trust you.” –Rick Warren “Light yourself on fire with enthusiasm and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” –John Wesley “Ask the question behind the question.” –John G. Miller
Mark, continued from cover out of his own faith and life’s experiences and, above all, leading by example. I shared a story during the service that embodies many of the lessons Dad taught me and I’d like to share it again now. On a date with my high-school sweetheart (now wife) Vickie, I was late coming home one night. Fearful of Dad’s reaction, I drove fast. Really fast. Triple-digit fast. And I got nailed. When the sheriff’s deputy said he’d let me off with a warning, I sighed with tremendous relief. (It wasn’t about what a ticket might have cost but about how Dad might have responded to the news.) But relief gave way to utter fear
TIMELINE Paul Zurcher is born. 1924
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Serves the U.S. Army during WWII. Earns a Purple Heart for injury in combat. 1945
when the deputy continued to inform me that he’d be accompanying me home—so together we could have a chat with my father. At 2 a.m. The officer talked and Dad listened but never took his eyes off me. My father pierced me with the dreaded “look” and I died a thousand deaths. The deputy left and I awaited my sentence. Eternal grounding seemed likely. Hard labor, too. But Dad just continued to pierce me with his eyes. For years, it seemed… before finally speaking very calmly: “Let’s talk about this tomorrow.” Oh, great, I thought: No sleep tonight! Months—maybe years— later, I realized what Dad had taught me in those eternal few minutes:
Purchases a Mobil Oil station with a $300 loan and Zurcher Tire is born in Monroe. Dreams of one day expanding to 3 bays.
Marries the love of his life, Betty Schug.
1948
1949
1. If you can avoid it, don’t make a difficult decision too quickly. 2. Don’t react in the heat of the moment. 3. It’s OK to let the other guy sweat if it serves as a good teaching experience. The next day, I was relieved to learn that I would not be grounded for life or sentenced to twelve-hour days of stocking inventory. With still more lessons to teach, Dad offered me a surprising choice: Either I would agree not to see Vickie for 6 weeks (might as well have been 6 years) or I would commit to keeping within 5 mph of the speed limit for one year. I chose the latter. Given this punishment, I learned how important it is to: 4. Consider all the possible outcomes of your decision. 5. Determine what results you want and tailor your decision toward that. 6. Know who you are dealing with and how they are likely to respond. I learned these six lessons in the midst of what seemed then like a terribly unfortunate situation and yet this instruction, taught not by lecturing but by Dad’s own example, continues to guide decision-making in both my personal and professional lives. So, then… why the special commemorative edition of Treadlines? Several reasons: First, as a way to honor Dad. Second, as a means by which to assure you of the Zurcher family’s and Best-One staff ’s continued commitment to Dad’s legacy and to the principles by which he lived.
And, third, so you might have a keepsake, just a few tidbits of the volumes of wisdom Dad shared in his lifetime. I hope some of these memories will make you smile, bring you comfort, perhaps even inspire you as they have me. In appreciation and with love,
LIFELINE
same today
Paul’s Favorite Verse
He quoted a lot of great thinkers, but probably none more often than Heartsill Wilson: This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it—or use it for good. But how I use today is important Because I am exchanging a day of my life for it!
as you will be in five years except for the people you meet and the books you read.” –Charlie Jones
When tomorrow comes, This day will be gone forever, Leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, and not loss; Good, and not evil; Success, and not failure; In order that I shall not regret The price that I have paid for it.
Family Matters: Larry is born. 1952
Purchases a neighboring lot, moves existing house down the block and realizes his 3-bay dream!
“You are the
Mark is born. 1954 Connie is born. 1956
Builds Zurcher Tire on principles of hard work and honest service. Circa 1955
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physically and I tell them that I live by my personal Nine Commitments. They didn’t come to me all at once but, rather, the list has been developed and built upon for the past 50 years. I live by all nine on a daily basis.
Running the bases with Paul
1. Seek God’s friendship, fellowship, and guidance. Our intimacy with God— His highest priority for us—determines the impact of our lives. Truly, all of my other commitments are driven by this first commitment.
Daughter-in-law Sue Zurcher shares a memory of how baseball analogies peppered Paul’s language. On occasion, she’d make a game of tallying up references in the course of a meeting. (“Five was typical!”) Can’t you just hear him...?
“We can’t get to first base unless…” “We hit that one out of the park!” “They are pitching us a curve ball.” “That was a home run!” “To make sure we are covering all the bases…” “They are playing hardball.”
2. Develop effective relationships. Strive to develop and maintain your relationships. Life is all about relationships, and true greatness is achieved by making a difference in other people’s lives. Trust is the glue of life, holding families, organizations, cultures, and relationships together.
Paul’s last letter
Just before Paul became ill, he was working on a letter that was to be posted on our Build Your Best Life website. We’re honored to share his inspiring thoughts with you here.
Dear Best-One Tire & Service family, People ask me all the time how I stay 90 years young spiritually, mentally, and
3. Treat everyone with honor, love, dignity, and respect. If we did this, we would solve most of the world’s problems! Respect and care for others is so important. Caring is the foundation of just about everything. If you possess deep-seated caring, it is evidenced in all you do. 4. Be self-disciplined and self-controlled. According to the experts, this is a common trait among the lives of all great leaders. You can keep your life in balance by adopting these four habits: Physical: Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Mental: Keep learning. It’s been said that “leaders are readers,” so I read 1½ hours a day.
TIMELINE, cont’d Poses with Raymond Firestone 1966
1st Ten Partnerships: Wertenberger Tire 1963
Frank Anderson Tire, 1971
Bluffton Tire, 1965
Southern Indiana Tire, 1971
McMahon (Dick Miller) Tire Service, 1969
Boland Tire, 1972
Monteith Tire, 1966
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Premier #2 (Ken’s) Bandag, 1970
Zurcher Tire of Marion, 1971
S&S Tire, 1974
Family: Make time with your family a priority. Spiritual: Keep connected with your spiritual side. You are ever growing, changing, developing, improving, and becoming the person you know you can be. 5. Do the right things right. If you make great decisions, you will live a great life. Before making a decision, particularly a large one (or before we give advice to assist someone else in making a decision), it is wise for each of us to take time in the classroom of silence to listen to the gentle voice within. Your values drive your behavior. Remember, your actions impact many more people than just yourself. 6. Be a positive, enthusiastic, and passionate person. I find this Charles Swindoll quote to be fantastic, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” We can react best in life by being positive, enthusiastic, and passionate. 7. Never compromise your integrity. One of the greatest things you can say about a person is that he/she has integrity. “Live with integrity, character and passion.” I believe so strongly in this that we have made it a core value of the Best-One organization.
Named National Tire Dealer of the Year. 2005 Celebrates 50 years in business. 1998
8. Plan for tomorrow today. Ask God to guide you in your planning. An idea isn’t worth much unless you have a plan of action to carry it out. I’ve heard it said, “An idea is worth $1.00, but a plan of action is worth $1,000,000.”
“If you want to know what you’ll be like
9. Live life now, and live it wide open. This statement just simply speaks for itself. Don’t just live your life, but live it to greatest of your ability.
five, ten,
You know, the experts say—and I agree with them—“If you want to know what you’ll be like five, ten, twenty years from now, just look at what you’re committed to.” I believe if you live by these Nine Commitments, you just may find yourself on the verge of greatness!
just look at
twenty years from now, what you’re committed to.”
Sincerely,
Receives Sagamore of the Wabash award for distinguished service to the State of Indiana. 2014
Celebrates 90th birthday with friends and family at Churchill Downs during Best-One Fall Seminar. 2014
What began as a dream in a single bay has, through the development of relationships, grown into more than 250 locations and a Best-One family that spans 14 states.
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Best-One founding partner dies
UNDERLINE Reflections
Paul touched many lives, including those of his partners. In the days following Paul’s death, partners and friends offered an outpouring of love and support for the family. Many also shared memories, a few of which follow.
Frank Anderson, Frank Anderson Tire Company: As we reflect on the life of Paul Zurcher, let us also keep the family of Best-One founding partner Vernon “Bud” Zolman in our thoughts and prayers. Bud, age 73, passed away unexpectedly on June 14, leaving daughter Stefani (Dan) and son, Nate (Tabitha), who now runs the family business. Bud is also survived by a brother, a sister, ten grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; by a daughter, Jacquelyn; and by Diane, his wife of 49 years.
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Paul was truly a loved father figure to me and my family. He always treated us with respect and love whether times were good or bad. When I did screw up, he corrected me, helped me fix it, and continued to love me. [Carol and I] had talked many times about wanting to pattern our married life after Paul and Betty’s.
Dot McKenzie, Indy Tire Centers:
The last time we were in Hawaii I watched [Paul] look at [Betty] with his eyes and smile. I definitely saw his love for her and knew it was genuine. I was able to tell him at a later time the impression he left on me. I had so much admiration for him. I plan on continuing to work with the values that he felt were so important.
Jim Channell, Southern Indiana Tire: Shortly after he was named Tire Dealer of the Year, I handed my magazine to Paul and asked him to sign it for me. Later on I picked up the magazine and for the first time looked at what he had written. It said “to MY Tire Dealer of the Year. –Paul Zurcher.” Typical of Paul, he turned that moment to shine the light on me rather than himself.
Max & Lisa Busz and family, Star Tire & Automotive - Columbia City and Star Tire’s Best-One Tire & Auto Care - Lafayette: We just toured the Zurcher facilities on February 7 and I will never forget the smile on Paul’s face when he told us about the new
warehouse. We were all amazed at how fast Paul walked. I was winded just keeping up with him. He was a great example to all of us and we will all be better people for having known him. He loved helping people achieve their goals and dreams. He was a man of his word with great integrity who led by example.
Darwin Meier, Meier Brothers Best-One Tire & Service: Don Schneider and Paul Swentzel brought Denny and myself into the group in 1983. We were meeting in a hotel lobby and I worked my tail off in preparing our business plan to present to Don, Paul S. and Paul Z. Being the marketing major, I thought I had prepared a pretty good presentation. When we sat down, I don’t think I stopped talking for an hour. Paul sat in silence and asked a few pointed questions which I answered in probably too much detail. Boy, I was nervous. Denny, Don and Paul S. sat quietly until I finished, then left the room, leaving just Paul Z. and myself. I didn’t know what to expect when Paul, looking me straight in the eye, quietly asked, “You really like the tire business, don’t you?” I then realized he cared more about my passion for the business and about the people he would be involved with than all the plans I had prepared. When the guys came back, Paul said, “Gentlemen, I think we can put this thing together now.”
George “Ike” Coate, Wolff ‘s Tire: My story begins nearly 35 years ago. I was a new manager at Wolff ’s Tire. The owner was absentee, but two of his children and two sonsin-law were employed at the business. They were not very cooperative. Since I really liked the tire business I started considering my options. My preferred option was to buy out the ownership but the financial aspect was frankly impossible at the time. The name Paul Zurcher came up and I had heard many good things about him and his business relationships. [I called] and he was very friendly and open to discussing the possibilities, so we set up a meeting. I had never met Paul and technically we were competitors. The meeting was very friendly and businesslike and I was completely surprised when he
said “let’s do this.” This man had never met me and in less than an hour he had put his trust in me and, with obvious risks, became my partner. I will never forget that day. This was Paul… perfect trust in his God, his family, his customers, his partners and his fellow man. His example has changed so many lives and hearts and we will not forget.
Greg Aspy, Aspy’s Best-One Tire & Auto Care, Inc.: It still amazes me… at Firestone’ s 1OOth anniversary in Las Vegas during a free time everyone was out playing the slots, having drinks and taking in the festivities and I ran into Paul— seated in a quiet corner, under a lamp, reading a motivational book! This man truly lived under a blanket of positive characteristics, compassion, humility, selflessness (I can still recall him pumping gas), spirituality, encouraging, driven to do the next right thing and originator of multi-tasking. Continued on Page 8
GUIDELINES What did Paul read?
Mr. Zurcher read deep and wide on many topics and was often asked for recommendations. Many Treadlines readers know that The Holy Bible was Paul’s first pick. What you might not have known is that Mr. Zurcher often quoted from Life is Tremendous, by Charlie Jones, or that he was an ardent admirer of Christian author Charles Stanley and a student of Stanley’s 30 Life Principles. Or that, to anyone seeking guidance on business success, Paul offered his “Top Ten” list: 1. The 360° Leader, by John C. Maxwell 2. Five Levels of Leadership, by John C. Maxwell 3. Hand Me Another Brick, by Charles R. Swindoll 4. God is my CEO, by Larry Julian
5. Built on Trust, by Arky Ciancutti, M.D. and Thomas L. Steding, Ph.D. 6. The 1 Hour Plan for Growth, by Joe Calhoon 7. On the Same Page, by Joe Calhoon and Bruce Jeffrey 8. Leadership by the Book, by Ken Blanchard, Bill Hybels and Phil Hodges 9. The Secret, by Ken Blanchard & Mark Miller 10. Rediscovering the Soul of Leadership, by Eugene B. Habecker
Larry, continued from cover of many years and across generations. Mark and I, the rest of our family and the entire Best-One team are committed to that legacy. Does this mean nothing will change? Of course not! Things always change and embracing change is ingrained in Best One’s core values. (See the sidebar on Page 2.) Changes will continue to be driven by our evolving industry, market conditions and the needs of your own organizations, though— and not because of Dad’s passing. We promise to honor and grow existing relationships and to seek opportunities to form new ones. We promise to seek collaboration in decision-making and to act in the best interest of our Best-One partners. If an issue arises and you find yourself reaching for the phone to call Dad, go ahead and call Mark or me. Be confident that Mark and I and the entire Best-One team are at your disposal. Dad would drop everything to respond to a business partner and we promise to do the same. We don’t have 90 years of wisdom, and we will make mistakes. But we will learn from our mistakes and come out stronger than ever. Dad would have wanted it that way.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” –John Wesley
When asked what he did for a living, Paul was fond of saying, “Why, I serve God by selling tires!”
Dad said it often and I’d like to repeat it… “We appreciate you. And we love you!” On behalf of the Zurcher Family and the Best-One Team, we’re looking forward to seeing you at the Fall Seminar!
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101 North Polk Street Monroe, IN 46772
Treadlines is a controlled circulation publication for the benefit of employees of the Best-One family of tire dealers and retreaders. Please send your comments, content suggestions, or a request to have your name removed from the mailing list to: Corene Scheumann Best-One Tire & Service 101 N. Polk St. Monroe, IN 46772 or
corene.scheumann@ bestonetire.net
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Reflections, continued from Page 7 When Big Macs first came out, he didn’t have time for lunch, but knocked off a Big Mac in three bites while he made out my tire bill (hand written at that time). Paul made ideas for improvement a reality. Ideas didn’t rest in the back of his mind, put on hold or forgotten—He put them into action or, better than that, inspired me to make them a reality.
could live three lifetimes and not be blessed to live and work alongside a man such as Paul. His commitment to his faith, family, friends and partners are unequaled. I have received texts and emails from many, including competitors, echoing those same sentiments. In a word he was “beloved.”
I feel blessed to have had a chance to speak with him twice in his last week. I will keep Paul in my heart all the days of my life and will try to live a life that would make him proud. I am committed to the cause that Paul started Pete Glesing, 60-plus years ago. He built a wonderful family Best-One Tire & Service: business that focuses on some of the greatest things in life: fulfilling dreams and creating lovWhat he has given to me over the years is ing relationships. I am certain that we will carry immeasurable. His on his lifelong comkindness, respect and mitment. How lucky love for those he met “Well done, good and are we that the job is are part of his rich really not a job but a legacy. I will be forever faithful servant.” mission for something changed because God bigger than ourselves! put Paul in my life. We A great man left the tire industry, but God welcomed a good and faithful servant into His kingdom.
–Mathew 25:21