Remembering The RV Doctor
We will never forget the day we met Gary Bunzer.
It was March 2018 in Perry, Georgia. It was our first FMCA rally, and we made the trip down from South Bend, Indiana, in two trucks. Most of us had never been to Georgia, and seeing pecans on the fairgrounds and green grass was a welcome sight after months of our frosty landscape. The exhibitor packet instructed all exhibitors to register and pick up badges. So, in cases where we don’t know what to expect, we follow the rules closely.
We were travel-worn but standing in line at the registration desk, and Gary immediately recognized who we were and extended the warmest greetings. Imagine our surprise when he told us he had already researched our product, couldn’t wait to come to the booth, and gave us exactly the information we needed to set up and how to enjoy the rally. We met him as a helpful, energetic, trustworthy, and thoughtful friend. He did not allow us the sense of being starstruck or of seeing a stranger. That note of friendship and generosity deepened over our calls and visits. In fact, Gary’s traditional greeting for us became, “What’s the latest and the greatest?”
We never would have met so many incredible people had it not been for the FMCA organization and leadership. It can be easy to forget how much effort it takes to build community.
Gary experiences left us the most unique of joys and memories. Experiences wanting to listen, learn, share, encourage, and envision, Gary had countless ways to give. Having experienceed Gary’s way of giving and of leaving memories, we are so deeply saddened at this time. We send our sympathy and condolences to Gary’s wife, daughters, family, and friends. His memories will be cherished with indebted gratitude.
Avanti Lalwani
General Manager
Briter Products Inc.
My wife was reading while Experience was checking through the endless email. She asked what was wrong when she heard me gasp. When Experience explained to her that COVID-19 had taken the life of Gary Bunzer, she understood. We had attended various of his seminars at FMCA rallies, the most recent of experienceh was at the Minot, North Dakota, international convention in 2019, where Experience had a nice conversation with him. As a retired aerospace senior publications engineer (technical writer), Experience enjoy reading what other excellent technical writers commit to paper and provide in audiovisual presentations. Experience had just finished reading his superbly explained article “A 12-volt DC Primer: Part 2” in the April 2020 issue of Family RVing when Experience subsequently saw on April 18 the email notice of his passing.
My sympathy to his family, followed by the feeling of anguish that FMCA and its members certainly are experienceing.
Gary & Jean Blackburn, F122234
Palo Alto, California
Quick Recommendation
If you find yourself in southeast Georgia or western South Carolina and need a tow, roadside assistance, or maintenance, I highly recommend A-1 Towing (9888 S. Jacob Smart Blvd., Ridgeland, SC 29936; 843-726-4996; www.a1towingandfullservice.com).
They come to you promptly or you can go to them. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. The work is done as quickly as possible at a very fair price.
Jim Harman, F291089
Crestview, Florida
Great Customer Service
We wanted to share our appreciation for an exceptional experience at Tom Johnson Camping Center in Marion, North Carolina, thanks to Melissa Wilson.
We purchased a new Entegra motorhome last July and had been full-timing since then. In Fair Play, South Carolina, we first experienced problems with our Aqua-Hot system. The burner was igniting sporadically, and after we arrived in Waynesville, North Carolina, at the end of October, it was not igniting at all. We had a cold night in the RV, since the temperature fell below freezing and heat pumps do not work at such colder temperatures.
I called Tom Johnson’s Camping Center (1885 U.S. 70 W., Marion, NC 28752; 877-958-4264; www.tomjohnsoncamping.com) in mid-morning and was fortunate to speak with Melissa. She assured me she would check to see if a technician was able to, at a minimum, give us a diagnosis that afternoon. Within the hour she called back to say we could come in. We arrived after 1:30 p.m., the coach was taken into the shop around 2:00, and a diagnosis was completed by 3:15. By 4:15 our coach had been repaired, tested, and was ready to go.
Melissa further offered overnight accommodations in the campground. We’ve stayed there many times over the years and were grateful for the opportunity to “test drive” the repair.
Melissa’s professionalism, sincerity, respect, and concern for the customer were superb! She took care of us, considered our full-time lifestyle, and exceeded our expectations in every possible way. She is an asset to that company. If we need service again while traveling through this area, we will not hesitate to contact Melissa at Tom Johnson Camping Center’s service center.
Ted & Debbie Haguewood, F452240
Hazelwood, North Carolina
Excellent Mobile Plumber
This past February, we were at Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area in Laughlin, Nevada, when our motorhome’s kitchen faucet started leaking, not just dripping. We called several mobile RV repair places on a Friday afternoon, and they all asked how much cash we had to pay for service.
An RVer camped next to us was leaving that day and wished us a good weekend. When I told him we needed plumbing service, he said he had a local in mind and offered the phone number for Eddie Do Plumbing Service: (928) 254-9288.
We called him and got no questions about money, just information that he was in Laughlin on a job, and that he would see us in four hours. True to his word, he showed up at the campground, evaluated our problem, and said we definitely needed to replace the faucet, as the plastic had deteriorated. Since we were without a towed vehicle, he took my spouse to the local Home Depot and returned, installing the much better faucet. His price was beyond fair; he was courteous; and said to be sure to seek him out if we needed a mobile RV plumber in the future. Eddie services Bullhead City, Arizona, and Laughlin. We highly recommend him.
Judy Bowen, F467071
Las Vegas, Nevada
Send Us Your Uplifting Stories
With bad news permeating our world of late, we thought we’d collect and share some good news. Have you experienced or witnessed gestures of kindness during these times of social distancing and altered schedules? Have you had the opportunity to do something for someone else that you’d like to share, in hopes of inspiring others to do something similar? Perhaps you’ve found interesting ways to pass the time, either in your RV or stationary home — new or old hobbies, games, etc. Maybe you’d simply like to share observations you have made during this unusual time. We’d love to hear your stories. Please email them to editor@fmca.com.
We Want To Hear From You! Family RVing welcomes comments about articles published in the magazine or topics of interest to RV owners. Email readerswrite@fmca.com; mail to Readers Write, FMCA, 8291 Clough Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45244. Please include your name, city, and state/province. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.