ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today announced the late Bob Rohrman as the recipient of the 2021 David F. Mungenast Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented by AIADA’s Board of Directors annually to an industry leader who possesses a similar community spirit and devotion to the international nameplate auto industry as its namesake. 

There are many things we remember Bob for, but at the very top was his giving spirit and commitment to leaving the world a better place than he found it.

“Those of us who knew Bob Rohrman and his legendary generosity saw that he embodied the spirit of the David F. Mungenast Lifetime Achievement Award more than almost anyone else in our industry. There are many things we remember Bob for, but at the very top was his giving spirit and commitment to leaving the world a better place than he found it,” said AIADA President and CEO Cody Lusk.  

Perhaps the most famous car dealer in the Midwest thanks to his iconic television commercials, Rohrman got his start in the car business in Lafayette, Indiana – a business which later grew to more than 30 franchises with locations in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He passed away in September 2020. During his life, he was the recipient of numerous awards, including Indiana’s 2019 Sagamore of the Wabash, and he served in multiple auto industry leadership roles, including on AIADA’s board of directors.  

However, Rohrman’s generosity was even bigger than his television personality. Highlights include a $15 million donation to Purdue University for Rohrman Field at Ross-Ade Stadium, $3.5 million for the Rohrman Performing Arts Center at Jefferson High School, and multiple other donations to organizations including Susan G. Komen, Meals on Wheels, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  

Since 1975, AIADA has presented an annual lifetime achievement award to an individual who is set apart by a deep commitment and contributions to the international auto industry and community involvement. During AIADA's 2007 Annual Meeting & Luncheon in Las Vegas, AIADA President and CEO Cody Lusk honored the late AIADA Chairman and long-time AIADA supporter, Dave Mungenast, Sr., by renaming the association's lifetime achievement award in his honor. 

For more on AIADA’s awards, including past recipients, please visit www.AIADA.org.