PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Bruce R. Matthews, who cut a wide swath in the bus industry - not only as a successful operator and a specialty supplier but also as an industry leader, died here last month at the age of 65.
For 35 years, Mr. Matthews battled the ups and downs of the bus industry and, in August, he survived the direct onslaught of Hurricane Charley, helping save his Punta Gorda home from 100 mph-plus winds, but he lost his fight with cancer and heart problems.
UMA Chairman and CEO Victor Parra said Mr. Matthews will be greatly missed.
Mr. Matthews served on the UMA board for 11 years. He also was active in the American Bus Association, serving on its board and chairing its Marketplace show and a number of committees. Additionally, he was a past president and board member of the Bus Association of New York.
In 1998, Bus Ride named Mr. Matthews one of the 25 most-influential people in the bus industry. In an interview, Mr. Matthews said the secret to business success was to "listen to your customers and employees, be responsive to their needs and suggestions. Have a strong, cohesive team working with you and be proactive rather than reactive to stay ahead of the competition." He was firm believer in being active in industry affairs.
Born in 1939, in Staten Island, N.Y., Mr. Matthews joined his brother Robert in the bus industry in 1970, with Matthews Buses Inc. Ten years later, the company purchased Upstate Transit Inc. of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Upstate eventually became Upstate Tours and Mr. Matthews built its charter, tour and commuter-line services and retail travel agency.
The Matthews' bus-related businesses grew to include Matthews Distributor Services of Greensboro, N.C.; Matthews Specialty Vehicles of High Point, N.C., and Rifled Air Conditioning Systems of Archdale, N.C. All of the companies operated under the banner of the Matthews Group and Mr. Matthews was chairman until he retired last year. (See Dec. 1, 2003, issue of Bus & Motorcoach News.)
Mr. Matthews established a home in Punta Gorda in 1997, and he and his wife Lynne had been residents there for the past three years. He was very involved in community activities. He also was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors, besides his widow, who chaired last year's ABA Marketplace, include his son Tim of Saratoga Springs; his daughter, Meridith of Daytona Beach, Fla., and his brother Robert of Green Cove Springs, Fla.
A memorial has been established with the American Bus Association Foundation, George T. Snyder Jr. Scholarship Program, 700 13th St. N.W., Ste. 575, Washington, DC 20005-5932.