GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Fred H. Bosselman Sr., the founder of a number of Bosselman companies, died Thursday night at age 89, reported the Grand Island (Neb.) Independent.
Bosselman was the founder of the Bosselman Family of Cos. that includes the Bosselman Travel Centers, Bosselman Pump & Pantry, Bosselman Energy, Bosselman Tank & Trailer, Grandma Max's Restaurants and a number of other companies, said the report.
In 1948, Bosselman and his wife, Maxine, opened the Bosselman & Eaton Truck Stop on Old Highway 30 in Grand [image-nocss] Island. In 1965, Fred built the Bosselman Truck Plaza at the intersection of the new Interstate 80 and Highway 281 in Grand Island. Known at the time as "The Truck Stop of Tomorrow" this location became a landmark on I-80.
Bosselman's vision has grown to include 38 Pump & Pantry convenience stores, seven Grandma Max's restaurants, five motels, eight truckstops and six travel centers.
He also has been involved in many civic activities and received numerous business awards, the report said. Among his many charitable donations were to Crane Meadows, $1.2 million to the Heartland Events Center and the sponsor of the $100,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Handicap at Fonner Park.
He also received the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award in 1987, Partners in Progress award in 2002, the UNL College of Business Administration Entrepreneur of the Year in 1989 and Corporate Leadership Award in 2006.
CSP offers condolences to his family, friends and colleages.
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