Don Wessel, longtime car dealer, OTC board member, supporter of the arts, dies at age 86

February 06, 2012|edited news release

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Don Wessel, a founding member of the Ozarks Technical Community College Board of Trustees, passed away at age 86. Wessel was owner of Wessel Honda and well known in southwest Missouri for his support of arts, education and civic organizations.

Wessel served on the OTC Board of Trustees from 1990 until his retirement in 2008. He was president of the Board from 1992 to 1994. He was named a trustee emeritus upon his retirement.

“Mr. Wessel played an important role in the creation of OTC, and was a dedicated member of our Board for many years,” said Hal Higdon, chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community College. “We are thankful for the support he provided in his lifetime.”

Wessel was the founder, owner and president of Don Wessel Honda in Springfield, and an active community leader. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, he was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and served in the United States Army.

In addition to his service on the OTC Board of Trustees, he also served as president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Lester E. Cox Medical Centers Board of Directors, the Springfield Symphony Association, the Ozarks Red Cross, the Springfield Area Council of Churches, the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association and Ozarks Public Television. He had also been chairman of the American Red Cross and First Night Springfield, and a member of the boards of the History Museum of Springfield-Greene County, the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, and Drury University.

“As a founding member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Wessel helped to make the College what it is today,” said OTC Board President Howard Fisk. “I was honored to take his place on the Board in 2008, and to continue his work toward making OTC a strong and vital institution.”

The Wessel family issued the following statement:
“Our family and employees of Don Wessel Honda are saddened by the loss of our cherished leader. We learned by his example and we proudly remember his contributions to the community.”

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