Steve Crowley, longtime leader at VIPAR Heavy Duty and career long independent aftermarket advocate, has died. He was 75.
Crowley dedicated his career to advancing the heavy-duty industry and strengthening the organizations that he served. He joined VIPAR Heavy Duty in 2000 as executive vice president, was promoted to president in 2003 and CEO in 2004. He retired in 2017.
During his tenure, Crowley’s vision leadership, and commitment helped guide the organization through significant growth and transformation. Before joining VIPAR he spent two years with Aurora Capital/QDS Partners and was at Chicago Rawhide from 1981-1999.
Throughout his career, Crowley held numerous volunteer leadership positions within the industry, serving on the boards of directors for MEMA and HDMA, as an active member of the Council of Fleet Specialists (CFS), and contributing to the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) Joint Operating Committee (JOC).
His many contributions were recognized with his receipt of the prestigious Northwood University Automotive Aftermarket Management Education award in 2010, induction into the Aftermarket Industry Hall of Fame in 2018, and the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) President’s Award in 2019.
“I worked for and with Steve for over four decades. Steve checked all the boxes and then some; friend, boss, mentor, leader, industry champion. He was a doer. The question wasn’t ‘if’ but, when,” says Chris Baer, current VIPAR president and CEO. “Steve embraced change and took our organization to the next level. VIPAR Heavy Duty would not be where it is today without Steve’s hard work. We will all miss him.”
Crowley will be remembered for his mentorship, leadership and unwavering dedication to the people and relationships that make this industry so special, VIPAR states.
Crowley married his wife Debra Biers in 1970 and is survived by her, as well as his children Bradley, Lori and Amy, ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as two sisters and a brother.
A visitation will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday at Church of Holy Apostles, 5211 Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050. A memorial mass will follow at noon, with burial taking place at Woodland Cemetery in McHenry, Illinois.
Crowley’s obituary can be found here.
