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Gorter sells G&S to Aaker and Hemme, retires from 25-year towing, service career

Lead Summary
,
By
Lori Sorenson

Phil Gorter’s retirement from G&S Auto marks the end of an era on roadways in the tri-state area.
In January he sold to Kevin Aaker and Andrew Hemme, and the business will continue as a service station and tow operation on South Highway 75.
“Our hope is to continue with as little change as possible for customers,” Aaker said.
“We didn’t want to see someone from out of town buy G&S and move it out of town and have another empty building and no one in town to help out when people need it most.”
They realize they’ll have big shoes to fill in the station and on the road.
 
Angel in a tow truck
For 25 years Gorter was the registered responder for AAA emergency roadside service, and for many who needed rescuing, he was an angel in a tow truck.
Hutchinson motorist Bruce Carlson, for example, suffered a heart attack in 2004 when his pickup was being towed.
“We hear about caring people that go about quietly helping people, and on Jan. 27 I had the good fortune of meeting one of those people who is from Luverne and was there for me when I really needed help,” Carlson shared in an April 2004 letter to the editor.
“Phil drove me to the Medical Center emergency room entrance, wheeled me into the hospital emergency room, and stayed with me until a doctor and the emergency room staff took over. Phil’s concern and making sure that I got prompt care made a big difference for me, and I appreciate his ‘Good Samaritan’ spirit.”
Carlson is among dozens of motorists through the years who were moved by Gorter’s compassion in business.
A signed photo and football from former Minnesota Viking Randall McDaniel resulted from another such rescue in 2003 when McDaniel’s friends had trouble on I-90 with a car they were test-driving for him.
Gorter helped them get back on the road, and soon after, he received McDaniel’s gift along with a note.
“We want you to know how much we appreciate the help you gave our friends,” he wrote. “It’s nice to know the world is still blessed with caring and compassionate people like yourself.”
Gorter’s work ethic didn’t go unnoticed by AAA, which named him the 2013 Service Provider of Excellence, which distinguished him as one of the finest providers in the club’s national roadside network.
“We are extremely proud of you and recognize your commitment to world class service, valuing safety in all that you do, solving members’ problems at the roadside through trained service technicians, and your commitment to the community you serve,” Auto Club Vice President Robert Kaczor wrote in Gorter’s letter of commendation.
“These are truly values of excellence, and G&S Auto Sales and Service demonstrates them all.”
Lt. Matt Sorenson, who retired in December from the State Patrol, accompanied Gorter during many harrowing incidents with distressed motorists at crash scenes.
“Working on the roads, we deal with tow operators a lot, and G&S was awesome,” Sorenson shared during Gorter’s Feb. 11 retirement party in Luverne.
“People would be broke down, some of them traveling cross country with car trouble and bald tires with $4 to their name. … I’d feel bad calling Phil, knowing he probably wouldn’t get paid, but he’d come out and help.”
Sorenson said many were hesitant to be towed, but he assured them, “These are good guys; they’ll take care of you.”
 
Blessings and sacrifices
Gorter’s wife, Denise, acknowledged that business often interfered with family, but she said they felt part of the mission. “Phil always loved his job,” she said. “And that was very helpful to know he was out there doing what he loved – helping people.”
He said he was grateful for law enforcement standing behind him on roadside rescues, and he said he’s indebted to his family and dedicated employees for their sacrifices to the business through the years.
“I was blessed to have all my children work for me at some point or another,” he said about his daughter, Jessica, and sons Matthew and Brent.
In his early years, he worked with Ed Fonkert and Brent Schepel, and his most recent family of employees included Mike Hart, Cody Lanoue, Mike Mulder and Max Power.
At his retirement party, he said he was grateful for all of them and others.
“When I started 25 years ago, I never thought I’d be standing here at my own retirement party,” he said.
“There were some tough times, but through the grace of God and friends we got through it. … Thank you and God bless you all.”
 
Power is ‘Face of G&S’ Aaker and Hemme own it separate from body shop
Power, who had been a longtime towing employee for Gorter, said he looks forward to continuing the G&S tradition of excellence in both auto service work and AAA towing.
“There is no way anyone can fill those shoes,” Power said. “But we hope we can continue to earn the trust of everyone who Phil helped, and I am committed to upholding the service integrity Phil worked so hard to build up.”
Aaker and Hemme jointly purchased G&S as a separate venture from their Luverne Body Shop business and will operate them as two separate entities.
They said Power is the new face of G&S Auto.
“We are just helping Max with an opportunity to run a business,” Aaker said. “We’re glad to be part of honoring Phil’s beautiful spirit and how he blessed those who turned to him in their time of need.”

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