If there is one thing that other salesmen can learn from Bert Boeckmann’s 50-plus year career at Galpin Motors, it’s that you are there to be a servant to the customer. “When I talk to employees, I say we are here to serve our customers,” Boeckmann said. “I’ll have them say to me, ‘I wouldn’t want to be a servant to anybody.’ I’ll say to them, ‘Wonderful, go work for my competition.’” The 86-year-old’s storied career at Galpin, in North Hills, has now earned him a place in the Ford Motor Co. Top Volume Dealer Hall of Fame. Boeckmann was the hall’s first inductee and he was recognized by the car maker with a visit to Galpin Ford by Mark LaNeve, vice president of U.S. marketing, plus a barbecue lunch for the employees. Entry to a hall of fame, whether in sports or anything else, usually connotes performers who are the best of the best in their profession, although Boeckmann modestly admitted that is not how he thinks of himself. “It says about more about the support of my family and everyone here at Galpin for all they’ve done to get me in that position,” he added. The hall of fame recognizes a select group of Ford dealers who have been the principal manager at a high-performing dealership for 25 or more years and are known as outstanding retailers and community leaders. “We are very pleased to recognize Galpin Motors with this prestigious award,” LaNeve said in a prepared statement. Galpin Ford has been the best-selling Ford dealership by volume in the world for 27 years running, as well as having top-selling Honda, Mazda and Volkswagen dealerships. The Boeckmann family has been involved with Galpin since 1953 when Bert Boeckmann went to work for Frank Galpin at his Ford dealership in the San Fernando Valley. Boeckmann’s son Beau became president and chief operating officer of Galpin Motors in 2014, overseeing all the company’s dealerships. The younger Boeckmann joins his father in being recognized for his contributions to car culture as an inductee in 2014 into the National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame. Bert Boeckmann’s main motivation as a car dealer has been that he enjoys people. When he started, he didn’t think he wanted to be a salesman. “The relationships you develop with people and those that I work with have made for a wonderful life,” explained Boeckmann, who still puts in 40 hours a week at the dealership. – Mark R. Madler