Robert L. Surman

Elected:       April 9, 1994

Inducted:    June 24, 1994

Family:        Born January 2, 1931 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  He presently resides in Burnaby, British Columbia with his wife, Audrey and one daughter.

History:      Robert began his towing career in 1941 at the age of 16 as a driver at Buster’s Auto Towing.  In 1959 he started his own company, but returned to Buster’s in 1965 as General Manager over a hundred unit fleet, the largest in Canada.  In 1980 he joined Unitow Services as Operations Manager.  Bob is a professional tower.  He served as Chairman of the Professional Tow Truck Operators of British Columbia (A.R.A.) from 1989-1993.  Further, he reinstituted the Tow Truck Rodeo and Trade Show in British Columbia and both have been very successful under his leadership.  Bob is also a past member of the Canadian Association of Fleet Supervisors and a longtime member of the Pacific National Exhibition Parade Committee.  His hobbies include aviation history and Bob serves as President of the “Friends of the DC-3” organization, which restores antique aircraft.  Robert has been one of the model towers and citizens of Western Canada and deserves his place in the Hall of Fame.