How do you pay tribute in this small space to a man whose accomplishments and contributions to automotive service are exceedingly large? Honestly, that is impossible. It would be easier for me to fill AutoInc. entirely with words honoring G.W. "Bud" Merwin III rather than condensing my thoughts to the confines of this column.

Bud Merwin is retiring at the end of this month after working for automotive industry associations for 25 years - serving as president of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) since 1989. Before that, he worked in his father's shop and his own shop for 25 years. Bud's achievements as an association executive are numerous; however, I would like to focus on the man whom I know well and respect fully.

He has the unenviable job of having a new boss every year. As president of ASA, he reports to the association's board of directors and its chairman.

Bud is a maker of leaders. He has been a mentor and confidant to every board member and every chairman who has served this association during the past two decades. He has guided each of us down a narrow road that runs between the road of unreasonable expectations and the road of self-indulgence.

Bud has earned the respect of every individual who has served as chairman of the ASA board. He has preached against the failings of an autocratic society, ensuring that the actions of each board are sincere in their efforts to improve the association, the lot of its members and the independent automotive service industry.

Through his leadership and guidance, Bud has enabled automotive professionals to become leaders themselves. When things go well within ASA, he and his staff step aside and give the chairman and board all the credit. When things don't go so well, he and his staff accept blame. Bud recognizes this incongruence as an obligation of association management.

He is always eager to bring credit to the association. He has never sought credit for himself nor has he expected it. He has set the stage for many, but has rarely stood on that stage himself.

Bud has unbelievable faith in the association system, in general, and in ASA in particular. Even in the earliest, bleakest days with ASA's predecessor organizations, the Independent Garage Owners of America and the Automotive Service Councils, Bud held fast to his belief in the association and the many things that can be achieved only by shops joining together under the association flag.

Bud believes in the concept of a board of directors, comprised of volunteers from within the industry, setting the course for the association and its members. From my perspective, as a former board member and chairman with the advantage of seeing how yesterday's actions have made today better, I realize he is right. This concept, always focusing on the end result and the impact a board's actions has on members, has served the members and the industry extremely well.

He is not perfect. Like all of us, he makes mistakes. However, when he errs, it is with both honesty and integrity. These are traits that most men have difficulty summoning when their aim is less than perfect. In such instances one can truly measure a man, and Bud has always stood tall in these situations.

Bud is a rarity in this society. He started in the boiler room and rose to the rank of admiral. Rarer still, he has done this without family influence, wealth or power. Bud is a self-made man. No one has paved the way for him. It is unlikely we will ever again see this type of single-handed accomplishment. Writing this statement, I know Bud would say it's untrue and the things he has accomplished have been accomplished not by his hand, but by the current and past boards, other member volunteers and a capable staff. That may be partially true, but he has become the admiral of the ASA ship because of the wisdom, leadership and vision that are his alone.

Bud leaves this association much better than he found it. He leaves this industry much better than he found it. None of us appreciate fully the difference he has made because we don't recognize or know how many battles he has fought and won on our behalf.

Bud deserves much more than I am capable of writing, so I'll close with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson that perfectly and succinctly portrays him. "That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."

I am proud to reference him as a friend of mine and as a friend of my way of life. Good luck, Bud, and may God bless you during your much-deserved retirement.

Stan Hathcock, owner of Webster Garage and Body Shop in Atlanta, Ga., has been an ASA member since 1976. He is a past chairman of ASA's board of directors and has held numerous other positions within the association. At the 1998 ASA Annual Convention, Hathcock received the first annual ASA Humanitarian Award for his work on ridding his community of drugs.

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