Business Owner | Veteran

Birth: He was born on November 27, 1934, in Richmond, Indiana.

Death: He died on July 6, 1997, in Centerville, Ohio.

Education: He was chosen to participate in the First General Motors Minority Dealer Academy and earned an Associate Degree from the University of Detroit.

Career as a Business Owner: In 1974, Bob purchased Vivian Buik, Opal, and International Harvester Trucks in Richmond, where he had previously worked as a lot attendant. He became the first Black automobile dealer in the state of Indiana and the first Black International Harvester dealer in the entire country. In 1979, he purchased Davis Buick and Mercedes-Benz in Centerville, Ohio, becoming the first Black Mercedes-Benz dealer in the world. Then, in 1982, he bought the GMC truck franchise.

Awards: Bob and his businesses won many awards. The Bob Ross Buick-GMC and Mercedes-Benz dealerships have been recognized in the “Top 100 African-American Dealerships” recognized by the Black Enterprise Magainze since 1979. He was also awarded the Small Business Man of the Year Award by the University of Dayton and invited to be a member of President Carter’s Small Business Conference.

Community Involvement: Bob served on Wright State University’s President’s Advisory Council. He was a chairperson of the Boy Scouts of America Fundraisers and a lifelong NAACP member.