Still Cranking After 60

In the decades that Bert Boeckmann has been a salesman at Galpin Motors, he has heard it all – and not just about cars. “Family issues, girlfriend issues, boss issues, financial issues,” recalled Boeckmann, 83. “They have told me everything you can imagine.” But that ability to listen and bond with customers is also what keeps them coming back to the North Hills dealer that Boeckmann has grown from a single location to one selling multiple car brands. Some families are on their fourth generation of buying from Galpin, Boeckmann said. This year is the 60th that he has been at Galpin. The milestone was marked by a private reception on Sept. 21 at The Collection at Galpin Auto Sports, a high-end luxury auto dealership. A public community car show featuring classic and exotic vehicles from the Galpin collection, food and entertainment took place Sept. 22. Boeckmann’s career dates back to when he worked for a Glendale dealer in 1952. The next year he went to work for Frank Galpin selling Fords. In 1957 he became manager of the Galpin dealership and took ownership a decade later upon Galpin’s retirement. The flagship Galpin Ford dealership has been a fixture on Roscoe Boulevard since the mid-1960s. Still, even with a career spotted with auto industry accolades, there remains this surprising fact: Boeckmann is not a car guy, though he does go for some luxury. The vehicle he drives now is a Lincoln Town Car. “I enjoy people (more than cars),” Boeckmann said. “It is amazing what you learn when you spend 10, 15 minutes with someone.” – Mark R. Madler