Recently retired technician’s son, grandson continue to work at Krapohl
Doug Randall was a big presence in the Krapohl Body Shop for 24 years. He recently retired, and Body Shop Manager Kevin Telfor said he admired Doug’s work ethic as Krapohl’s main frame technician.
“Always one of the first on the floor in the morning, and he generally worked until 6:30 in the evening, sometimes later,” Kevin said. “If you walked through the shop, you’d find him under a vehicle, sparks flying. He was always on the move.”
Telfor said Doug’s attention to detail included taking the time to fully inspect a vehicle to look for unreported damage before he started work. “And he always was good about meeting deadlines,” Telfor said. “I wish I could have cloned five more of him.”
Doug’s work ethic became an ongoing joke with co-owner Tom Krapohl, who had way of walking through the Body Shop just when Doug was taking a drink of coffee.
Brandon Sadler now handles much of the role Doug filled. Doug served as Brandon’s mentor when he arrived at the shop. After about a year, Brandon was ready to go.
“There is no other place like this,” Doug said in 2021. “I know people who have left and then they end up coming back when they find that out. (Co-owners) Tom Krapohl and Mark Smith — they are just good folks to work for. I know I’m in the right spot.”
Doug’s son Bruce moved back to Michigan several years ago and started working at the Krapohl Body Shop five years ago as a combo tech who does body work and painting. He’s glad he had the opportunity to see his father work.
“I went a big stretch without seeing him, and it was nice to be where I could see his face every day,” Bruce said. “He loved working here. He took it seriously. He was a firm believer that you don’t want to be the guy right at the time clock at 5 p.m. He believes in putting your work in. He’d often stay until 7, 8 o’clock, just because.”
The Randall family ties to the Body Shop grew a few months ago when Bruce’s 16-year-old son, Waylon, started cleaning the shop and washing cars once his day at Mt. Pleasant High School was over.
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