WILMETTE, Ill. Gerald Jerry Hausman, an icon in the motorcoach industry who established what is today the largest new and pre-owned coach sales and service network in North America, died last month at the age of 82.

Mr. Hausman founded Hausman Bus Sales in the Chicago area in the late 1940s and it formed the basis for what grew into Motor Coach Industries sales and service center operation.

Mr. Hausman was a self-made man who was said to be happiest when doing business and helping others in the motorcoach industry. He was widely respected for the way he did business but, at the same time, he was for some a difficult man to love because of his failure to graduate from charm school.

Last year, as the American Bus Association was establishing its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, it asked the industry to nominate individuals who had had a major impact on the industry and helped shape it. Two individuals emerged from the process, the late Peter L. Picknelly of Peter Pan Bus Lines and Gerald Hausman.

ABA presented the award to Mr. Hausman at its annual Marketplace in late January.

Although he had many interests, the bus industry was clearly No. 1 in his heart. For decades, he was the most recognizable name in the pre-owned coach sector. But it was new coach sales where Mr. Hausman may have had his greatest impact.

In 1946, Mr. Hausman began selling used Greyhound coaches. Within a few years he had developed a national reputation and by 1968 he began expanding beyond his Chicago base.

He established sales and service centers in California and New Jersey, and later in Florida and Mississippi.

The year 1972 was a milestone. Thats when Hausman Bus Sales began selling new MCI coaches. At the time, MCI was primarily a supplier to Greyhound and had a 17 percent share of the North American market.

By 1980, Hausman Bus Sales and MCI led the industry.

Far-reaching contributions

His salesmanship and integrity shaped the industry, and his contributions paved the way for the leadership position MCI holds today, noted Tom Sorrells, MCI president and CEO.

'He was always eager to offer advice to MCI executives and industry leaders alike, anytime,' said Sorrells. 'His contributions are far-reaching. He will be missed - as a business associate and as a friend.'

Along the way, Mr. Hausman sold his company, which eventually ended up in the hands of Greyhound and then MCI. In 1989, he officially 'retired,' but he hung on as a consultant at MCI, arriving at his office at the MCI Sales Service Center in Des Plaines, Ill., by 8 a.m. each morning.

'My dad had a great work ethic and a keen mind for business,' said his son Richard, founder and owner of Chicago Classic Coach. 'Yet, what really mattered to him the most were the relationships and friendships. The relationships my dad had in business were as important as family to him.'

Mr. Hausmann continued to foster those relationships long after he retired when he and an arm load of Chicago-made Vienna Beef Salami, rye bread and mustard became fixtures at major industry events, like Motorcoach Expo. It is a tradition MCI has retained.

Last respects

Mr. Hausman's funeral attracted a fascinating cross-section of industry leaders, as well as individuals Mr. Hausman introduced to the industry.

Those attending included Frank Henry of the Martz Group and Martz Trailways; Dale Moser of Coach USA; Robert Iwamoto Jr. of Roberts Hawaii; Donald Ferrone of American Sightseeing Tours of Chicago; Victor Parra of the United Motorcoach Association; Roman Cornell of ABC Companies, and the entire executive team from MCI.

Also on hand was Carl Ekberg, representing a whole generation of coach industry sales executives who had been hired by Mr. Hausman, people like John Oakman, Skip Neff, Bob Dethloff, Noel Patterson, Dave Millhouser and Sandy Baker.

In addition to his son Richard, Mr. Hausman also is survived by sons Mike and Sam, and daughter Bonnie (Ross) Daniels.

Mr. Hausman, who was a veteran of World War II, supported charities that specialize in aiding veterans. A memorial has been established with the Fisher House Foundation, which is dedicated to helping military families.

The Fisher House Foundation is at 1401 Rockville Pike, Ste. 600, Rockville, MD 20852. Or, go to www.fisherhouse.com.