Richard "Dick" Maurice Pellow

Richard "Dick" Pellow died peacefully on Monday, December 23, 2019 at the age of 88. Dick was born in Northeast Minneapolis on July 21, 1931 to Maurice and Letha (Halsted). He attended Minneapolis Vocational School. Immediately after leaving high school Dick got a job as a switchman for the Great Northern Railroad and a member of the Navy Reserve. On April 19, 1952 he married Jean Schwaab. Together they had five children: Ricky (Deb), Randy (Denise), Rodney (Joyce), Renee Gardas (Ronald) and Rochelle Bottineau, 9 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. In 1959 Dick made history in Daytona, Florida as a member of the pit crew of the first ever Daytona 500 for friend and fellow racer, Bernie Hentges. In 1960 Dick purchased his first body shop. In 1967 he purchased Milt's Towing and Salvage, what would eventually become Twin Cities Towing, Twin Cities Salvage Pool and eventually, Twin Cities Wrecker Sales. Dick's lifelong tinkering of cars turned into a full time passion when he purchased his first collector car in 1979, a 1935 Ford Cabriolet. His collection grew from there, now upwards of 50 cars. In the 1980s Dick was critical in advancing the auto body repair, brokerage and towing industry in Minnesota and on the national level. He was President, Founder and Director of the Minnesota Professional Towing Association (MPTA) and Vice President of the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA). He was inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1987. His leadership in the auto industry led him down an unconventional road to the Minnesota State Capitol. As a blue collar business owner he was elected as a member of the Minnesota State House of Representatives, where he served three terms (1989 - 1992 and 1995 - 1996). His committees included Commerce, Economic Development, Transportation, and Safety. His children and grandchildren often walked the streets of New Brighton on weekends to help him deliver literature and his campaign slogan, "People for Pellow." His old car addiction continued when he became involved in the New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run in its infancy stages. It's said that Dick knocked door to door to encourage homeowners on the route to get out and watch the antique car parade across the state of Minnesota. This is a tradition that is still honored today. Dick, and many of his children, have completed the antique car run dozens of times. He most often drove his 1908 Overland, but many cars made the run including his 1905 Cadillac, 1910 Buick Model 14. The car run is a significant and meaningful event for the entire Pellow family every year. Dick was recognized by the Saint Paul Winter Carnival as Zephyrus, Prince of the West Wind in 1993. He had many different groups, networks and associations he was part of that it's hard to keep them all straight. Prior to her death, his wife of 62 years was by his side, ensuring the bills were paid and the children and grandchildren were raised right. Dick's professional accomplishments pale in comparison to the father, grandfather and husband he was. He could often be found drinking his Coca-Cola and eating his candy orange slices at night while reading an old car manual of his latest project. Dick is survived by his children, Ricky (Deb), Randy (Denise), Rodney (Joyce), Renee (Ronald) Gardas and Rochelle Bottineau; 9 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and brother, Robert Pellow. Preceded in death by wife, Jean; parents, Maurice and Letha; sister, Margaret Wanamaker; great-granddaughter, Jaime Pellow and son-in-law, Steve Bottineau. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 10:30 AM (Visitation 9:30 - 10:30 AM) at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH; 835 2nd Ave. NW, New Brighton. Interment Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery.

Tributes

Richard "Dick" Maurice Pellow

July 20, 1931 - December 23, 2019

Tributes

Richard "Dick" Maurice Pellow

July 20, 1931 - December 23, 2019

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