Industry legend, RV/MH Hall of Fame member and lifelong educator Gary Bunzer lost his battle the COVID-19 virus on April 17 in Seattle, Washington.
Bunzer, famously dubbed the RV Doctor, spent more than 47 years in the RV industry and built the foundation for modern RV technician training programs. He was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 2016 as the president of Bunzer Consulting, Inc.
Chuck Woodbury, a friend and founder of RVTravel.com, reported on Friday afternoon, April 17, that Bunzer had died.
Bunzer leaves a legacy of public service and education in the RV industry. Among his many accomplishments, Bunzer made a name for himself establishing the first formal training school for RV technicians.
He was the first educator to write, produce and direct RV service training videos for RV technicians and consumers, as well as the first technical specialist to develop an online RV technician training program at the college level. Over his career, the number of technicians who received instruction from Bunzer easily surpassed 10,000.
Bunzer was an expert educator to both consumers and RV professionals. He wrote many articles about RV maintenance and technical support for his RV Doctor column, sharing useful information with industry leaders nationwide. Additionally, he was one of the first advice columnists to write for RV News Magazine, starting in the mid-1970s. He wrote for many other publications as well, including RV Executive and the Family Motorcoach Association’s consumer publication.
Walter Cannon, emeritus executive director of the RV Safety Education Foundation said,” Being equally respected by both the trade and consumer ranks is a rare combination in our industry, but Gary certainly accomplished that.”
Bunzer served as the official spokesperson for the Pennsylvania RV and Camping Association’s annual consumer event, “America’s Largest RV Show.” Additionally, Bunzer lobbied and advocated for a formalized service technician certification program and played a part in spurring RVDA/RVIA to create the national program for technician certification used today.
“Seeing the light bulb illuminate above their heads when a lesson or procedure sinks in is truly enjoyable,” Bunzer told RV News Magazine in 2016.
Bunzer received the RVIA National Education Service Award from the RVIA in 2009. On Saturday, April 18, RVIA President Craig Kirby released the following statement about Bunzer’s legacy:
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Bunzer. There was no greater champion for RV technical education. As an association, we were fortunate to benefit from his service on numerous RV technical textbook review committees where he helped guide our education and certification efforts with his vast knowledge as an RV technician, educator, and training specialist. In his passionate work as the RV Doctor, he bettered the RV industry by making expert RV training instruction available to RV service technicians as well as RV enthusiasts through his popular website, seminars, books, magazine, and newsletter articles. Gary was also a Veteran of the U.S. military and was proud that he was able to continue publishing technical newsletters even while deployed, a testament to his boundless dedication to sharing his expertise and insight. Through his work, he became a respected mentor and beloved friend who deeply valued his relationships with so many in the industry… On behalf of our membership and staff, the RV Industry Association extends our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
