BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Bob Lanphere Sr., who went from running a Honda motorcycle dealership in the 1964 to overseeing an auto dealer empire, has died at 81.
At the time of his death the sales empire included Kia, Honda, Dodge, Infiniti, and Toyota cars and trucks and the motorcycle dealership that sells Suzuki and Yamaha bikes in addition to Honda.
The dealerships stretch from Renton, Wash., to Wilsonville, Ore. His holdings also included Lanphere Construction & Development.
A eulogy on the Beaverton Motorcycles Facebook page offered this remembrance:
"An incredible man who left an amazing legacy of passion and hard work. His success of the american dream has touched so many. We are so grateful to have been led by his wisdom and charisma. He will be missed."
A company biography said Lanphere was discharged from the Army in 1955 and began racing motorcycles. His personal collection of vintage motorcycles numbered more than 400 and he has been inducted into the Trailblazer Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
After getting the bike franchise in 1954, Honda granted him a dealership for Honda cars. That eventually grew into the Lanphere Auto Group.
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle told the Oregonian he met Lanphere about 20 years ago, and said he's thankful for the businessman's role as a proponent for the community.
"The jobs that he and his company have provided to Beaverton are priceless," he said.
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