To our Discount Tire Family:
Thank you so much for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. The Discount Tire family has come together in such a magical way and words cannot describe how special you are to us. The smiles, hugs, thoughts, prayers and love that you have given to us are a gift that we will work tirelessly to pay forward and share with others.
Mr. Halle means so much to all of us, and we are all blessed that he is now our Guardian Angel in Heaven.
Mr. Halle always said that the people of Discount Tire were part of his family. He was very proud of all the great things that we accomplished together. When Mr. Halle spoke about the people of Discount Tire, he used words like fabulous, successful, terrific, trustworthy, honest and filled with integrity. He would close by saying that he loved us all.
The family will be honoring Mr. Halle with a private service.
We have had many requests on how to honor the legacy of Mr. Halle. The best way we know how to pay tribute to Mr. Halle is to live as he did. Be honest, work hard, have fun, be grateful, and always pay it forward. We ask that you please refrain from sending flowers. If you wish to make a donation you can do so to the following organizations, which held a special place in the heart of Mr. Halle.
Thank you for all you do to keep the Dream alive.
Bruce T. Halle Assistance Fund
20225 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
www.bthaf.org
Fed Tax ID #: 27-1451992
Marine Corps Scholarship Fund
909 N. Washington St., Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.mcsf.org
Fed Tax ID #: 22-1905062
UMOM New Day Centers, Inc.
3333 E. Van Buren St.
Phoenix, AZ 85008
www.umom.org
Fed Tax ID #: 86-0521062
Eternally grateful,
The Halle Family
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 4, 2018) – Discount Tire founder and company Chairman Bruce Halle passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, January 4, the company confirmed.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that today, our friend, founder and a passionate family member, Mr. Halle, has passed away,” said Michael Zuieback, CEO at Discount Tire. “I have had the privilege of working with and learning from the most talented, respected, humble and kind leader anyone could hope for, and I speak on behalf of all who knew Bruce in that he will be dearly missed.”
Bruce Halle is survived by his wife Diane, his loving children Bruce Halle, Jr. (Nikki), Susan Lyle (Wilson), Lisa Pedersen (Chris) and Michael Zuieback (Sheila); siblings Bob Halle (Nancy), Mary Ellen Merrill, Betty Lou Halle; and 7 grandchildren.
At a young age, Bruce Halle knew the definition of hard work, as he helped deliver newspapers, cut grass and dug graves to help support his family during the Great Depression. Bruce is a proud Marine who served in the Korean War. Halle opened the first Discount Tire store in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1960 with six tires and no business plan. At the time, Bruce served as the tire technician, accountant, sign painter, toilet cleaner, customer service representative and any other position needed to grow the fledgling business. Halle established a simple business ethos: treat others how you want to be treated, always give the customer a good deal; surprise the customer with unexpected benefits like clean bathrooms, free snow tire changes or free flat repairs; build your customer base through word of mouth; and have fun. Over the years, Halle built the largest and most recognized tire store in the country, but never lost sight of his early years in the bay as a tire technician.
A humble man, Halle shied away from industry recognition, preferring to give the credit for the company’s continued success to his employees and his long term experienced leadership team whom he considered family. The Bruce T. Halle Library on his alma mater campus at Eastern Michigan University is named after him. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Eastern Michigan University and delivered the university’s commencement speech in 1995. A deeply spiritual man, Halle and wife Diane traveled to the Vatican and were knighted with the Order of St. Gregory for their contribution to chapel repairs. Over his lifetime, Halle amassed an unprecedented art collection of more than 400 tire-related lithographs, which are curated and on display at company headquarters. He graciously accepted induction into the Modern Tire Dealer Hall of Fame in 2014. Discount Tire holds the Guinness World Record for longest running advertisement, consistently airing since 1975.
Giving back to the communities where customers and employees reside was a focal point of Halle’s leadership. He and wife, Diane, launched The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation, a philanthropic resource for a broad range of charitable endeavors. Halle also created programs to benefit Discount Tire employees such as the Bruce T. Halle Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to employees in need, as well as the Bruce T. Halle Scholarship Program, which has awarded over 2700 scholarships for employees’ children to attend college.
Discount Tire, the world’s largest tire and wheel retailer, will surpass 1000 stores in 34 states this year.
“His absence creates a tremendous loss for all of us, but in his honor, Discount Tire will continue on the course that Bruce has set for us,” said Vice Chairman, Gary Van Brunt. “The five lessons that Mr. Halle taught us will forever resonate in our hearts and minds: Be honest, work hard, have fun, be grateful and pay it forward.”
Eternally grateful,
Michael Zuieback CEO