Dave Boettner started working for his father, Jack, in the 1970s in the parts department at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. Now he works part time, handling IT needs for the dealership.
Jack Boettner was one of the first hires Robert and Harold Krapohl made when they opened Krapohl Ford in 1950 on Court Street. That decision continues to pay off at the 72-year-old auto dealership, the only locally owned and operated full-service dealer in Mt. Pleasant.
The Krapohl Ford Sales team gathers in 1952. Co-owners Robert Krapohl (left) and Harold Krapohl hold an award certificate from Ford Motor Company. Parts Manager Jack Boettner is crouched in the front row, the third person from the left.
Jack created and ran the parts department for Krapohl Ford for 45 years.
“We regularly were and still are named the best parts department in the state and country — for dealerships our size — by Ford,” co-owner Tom Krapohl said. “There was a statewide group of parts managers that would meet once a month. Every year, they chose Jack as their president.”
Tom, the son of Harold Krapohl, started working at Krapohl by washing cars after school. He moved to the parts department when he was a high school student. He went to school from 6 a.m.-noon, then worked in the afternoons at the dealership for Jack, whom he calls a knowledgeable, fun supervisor.
Another high school student started working in the parts department in 1975. Dave Boettner, Jack’s son, swept floors after school, never figuring he would follow his father’s career path. Dave’s plan was to be a carpenter and he pursued building trades classes in high school.
When Consumers Power pursued building a nuclear plant in Midland, Dave applied and was interviewed, but was deemed too young to hire at age 17. He continued working in the Krapohl Ford parts department with his father, and his responsibilities grew.
“I stayed because I liked it,” Dave said. “The owners are great people, fantastic to work for,” he said. “They are nothing but encouraging. And that goes back to Bob and Harold Krapohl.”
Like Jack, Dave’s time in the parts department lasted 45 years. Dave took over after his father’s retirement and maintained the department’s award-winning ways before retiring in 2020. He said his father’s leadership style influenced how he worked with his team.
“As in any father-son relationship, when I started, I was at a stage where I was challenging him,” Dave said. “But I learned a lot from him. He was a great guy and easy to talk to. He was a good teacher. He told you when and why things needed to be done a certain way. He knew what would work best.”
In 2021, Dave returned to Michigan after living in Florida and stopped by the dealership to talk with co-owners Tom Krapohl and Mark Smith, general manager and co-owner. “I mentioned I was looking for something to do, and they both said, “we want you back.’ A few days later, they called and said they needed IT help.”
Now he works three days a week, ensuring systems are updated and running. When Dave was parts manager, the first computer installed at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln was in his office. By default, he became and served as the dealership’s computer expert and teacher.
“I enjoy it, and it allows me enough time to do the stuff I need to do,” Dave said.
Connect with us
