10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

JULY 2007 TRUCKER TALK
SHINE ON, LEONARD
By Writers and Owner Operators Rod & Kim Grimm

On May 18th, 2007 trucking lost one of its most faithful ambassadors and Rod and I lost a good friend. Owner Operator Leonard Testerman, who together with his wife Charlene drove as a team and entered their well-known Peterbilt “Rollin’ Thunder” in numerous truck shows over the years, passed away after a tragic accident. While working on an expansion project of the shed they park their truck in, the Lull Highlander forklift he was operating overturned and the main artery in his leg was severed. He was flown to a nearby trauma center in Baltimore, where he died from his injury. Leonard and Charlene had been leased to Mercer Transportation since 1991.

Leonard, who was only 48 years old, left behind a grandson named Tristan, who was the apple of his eye, as well as his mother Ethel Mae Testerman, daughter Heather Thompson, son-in-law Russell, a brother and three sisters, and the light of his life, his wife Charlene, with whom he shared everything. I want to dedicate this column to Leonard and Charlene’s seven-month old grandson Tristan Thompson. Charlene told me that the first thing they did when they got home from any trip was to go see Tristan. Sadly, he’ll never get to know his grandpa, but the people who did know him have many wonderful stories to cherish and share.

Sudden tragedies like this make us aware that we never know when the “end” will come, so we’d better have our affairs in order and tell the people we care about how much they mean to us – and tell them often. And when someone like Leonard leaves us so abruptly, we can’t help but take the time to remember and be grateful for having known him. Rod said that God must have needed a driver for a very special truck, and I added that it better be a Peterbilt and it better ride on Michelin tires, because that’s the only way Leonard would drive it! After the accident, I spoke to many of Leonard’s family members and friends and they told me some great stories about this man – and I will share them with you here now in his memory.

Steve Brooks, a truck-driving friend of Leonard and Charlene, shared a story about an outing they took after a truck show in Las Vegas. The two couples, along with a small group of friends, decided to get together and go to the Stratosphere. Everyone was excited except for Leonard, who feared nothing, but heights. He decided he was okay to go up to the observation level, but “I won’t go over to the window,” he said. After enough teasing, he actually crawled over to the window, peeked out, and then crawled back, making everyone in the place laugh (Leonard could always make people laugh). When the observation level wasn’t enough, the group headed to the roof of the Stratosphere to check out the ride that shoots you straight up. Scared as he was, Leonard still went on the ride with everyone else. Steve had just talked to Leonard the day before the accident and couldn’t believe what had happened when he got the call the next day. He’d lost his best friend. “I will deeply miss him,” said Steve, adding, “Leonard and Charlene were two people, but one wonderful person.”

Another friend and fellow trucker named Darian Stephens fondly recalled two occasions when he and the Testerman’s ended up in Key West, Florida together. The first time they were there, Darian hadn’t been with Mercer Transportation for very long so Leonard and Charlene passed on a load that Darian would be up for next so that he wouldn’t have to sit and wait. The next time they were both there was on a Sunday, so they decided that it was play time. Leonard and Charlene wouldn’t let Darian just sit in his truck – they rented jet skis for all of them and had a wonderful day playing in the ocean. They also rented a golf cart to cruise around the island. Afterwards, they let Darian use the shower in their truck to get cleaned up from all the salt water. They had a great time and wouldn’t take any money from Darian for the rentals. Russ Brown told me that Leonard had a nickname for Darian that was a joke among friends, and he would tease him, but it was all in fun. “Leonard could always make you laugh, and you could always count on him to give you good advice,” said Russ.

Bette Garber has photographed Leonard and Charlene (and their truck) many times over the years. She remembers being on the prep lot before the Stars & Stripes show in Baltimore, Maryland in 2004. “Leonard was showing off his new step deck as we walked around their combination. He had worked with Reitnouer on the design and was so very proud of it. There we were, laying on our stomachs on the cement, checking out the best photo angles. He was so excited, and with good reason: the trailer was beautiful. He and Charlene had such a passion for their truck and worked so hard to make sure it always looked the best it could be because it was a reflection of them and their place in the world,” said Bette. “Their truck always rose above the competition through the sheer grit and determination of its owners. If the truck was not perfect, it wasn’t done. Oh yes, and “Rollin’ Thunder” won Best of Show Combo in Baltimore that year!”

Bud Farquhar of Stars & Stripes Show Truck Events said, “We will always remember Leonard Testerman. As a participant at many of our shows, Leonard was everything you could ask for: a devoted husband with a positive attitude, a tough competitor with a beautiful truck, and he was always well-prepared, compassionate, honest and helpful toward his fellow competitors. He will be missed.”

Brian Maynard used to ride to the shop with his uncle on the weekends when he was a teenager – which was the same shop that Leonard and Charlene took their truck. Brian’s uncle later became the manager of the John Wayne Truck Wash in Green Castle, Pennsylvania. Brian really loved cleaning trucks and fell in love with “Rollin’ Thunder” and because of this love, started working at the truck wash, washing trucks, eventually working his way up to management. Brian remembers a day when Leonard came in and gathered all the truck washers around and told them there would be no brushes on his truck, and if they needed a mitt or a towel, he would provide it for them. Later, the truck wash expanded to include a chrome store and detail shop, which is where Leonard and Charlene got most of the chrome for their truck the last time they redid it. One day Leonard called and asked Brian to buff the aluminum on their trailer. Brian was a little worried about doing this, but he took the best guy he had and off they went to Leonard & Charlene’s. They buffed the rails, the headache rack and the back of the trailer. When it was done, Leonard said, “I want you to buff my tanks.” When that was finished it was, “Ya wanna do my grill?” With that complete, the next request was, “Would ya do my wheels, then everything will be done?” I thought that was a lot to do in just one day, but like Brian told me, it was already in such good shape, most people wouldn’t consider it even needing to be buffed. Brian is very proud that he could make Leonard happy with the work he did – and to be able to call him his friend.

Leonard was one of the best friends Dale Corum, Operations Manager at Mercer Transportation, ever had. “He was a hard worker who took care of business and he played just as hard. If you looked at his life, it was easy to see, he was the epitome of someone living the American dream. I have several stories about Leonard and I’m sure that everyone who knew him can tell many more, but what I admired most about him was his integrity. He was a man of his word. There was no need to put things in writing, nor a need to shake hands. His word was important to him and he left no reason to doubt it. On the other hand, he expected others to be the same way. We were once at odds over a misunderstanding where Leonard thought I was not truthful with him. He was not bashful about calling me and challenging me. After a few rounds, we came to an understanding and were able to put it behind us. Too often this could have been a situation that causes friends to go their separate ways, but these kinds of situations can also strengthen relationships, if handled right. Leonard was a man who did things right – he was fair, he was honest and he knew how to laugh and enjoy life. He was the kind of person you would want to call your best friend. I will miss him.”

Leonard was also loved and adored by his family. Following are a few words from his son-in-law Russell. “What ya doin’ son-in-law?” he would ask. “Nothing much Pappy, how you been?” I’d reply. That’s pretty much how all of our conversations started. Leonard and I could talk for quite awhile when we had time – thing is, most of the time we were each head deep in our own big projects of some sorts. We both enjoyed watching each other’s projects unfold and we would talk about it all and always end up learning something from each other along the way. He would always encourage me in whatever I was doing. It didn’t matter what it was, he was sure I could do it. You see, Leonard, for some reason, thought I was smart, but probably about the smartest thing I’ve ever done was marry his daughter. Leonard was a very modest man who could do a lot more than he would ever let on. He was extremely talented and a man with vision, but he never gave himself the credit he deserved. Leonard could see the end result of his projects in his mind before he ever picked up a tool. He didn’t need to draw things out or put it on paper, he had it all figured out in his head. He was an amazing man to me. We did a lot of things together when we had time, and I enjoyed having him for my father-in-law, but I took it all for granted and now my friend is gone. I will miss this man greatly and can only hope that he knows now how much we loved him, respected him and admired him. When I see him again, we’re going to have a lot to talk about.”

Leonard’s daughter Heather said, “When I think about the definition of a man, I think of my dad. I guess I have always put my dad up on a pedestal. I knew that dad had a lot of friends, but I never realized how many people thought so highly of him. It’s a shame it had to come to this for me to realize just how well respected, honored, and adored he was by so many people. My dad was a great man and he would be honored by the response that has been shown by everyone. He may never cross a state line again in his eighteen-wheeler and he may never blow the train horn again, but his legacy will live on in all of the people who loved and respected him.”

When truck driver and artist Trevor Hardwick (whom we featured in our August 2006 article) heard of Leonard’s passing, he was moved to write this poem called “Shine On” (which also inspired the title of this article) for Leonard’s wife Charlene.

Roll on big ‘ol Peterbilt, in shades of Brandywine.
A name like Rollin Thunder, could send shivers down your spine.

Your heart shaped windows on your side, appear to be a sign.
Of the love two love birds built, into a Pete 359.

Now go on Leonard Testerman, to your new home up above.
And may your friends find comfort in, your omni present love.

You might be on the road some where, in a photograph or two.
Or in the words a grandchild says, that sounds a lot like you.

The Lord knows how you loved to roll, and so many things you’ve seen.
So then he took your 18 wheels, and turned them into wings.

Shine on Charlene and in your dreams, you’ll reunite again.
And when you wake-illuminate, your face into a grin.

Your fans and friends will recognize, the shine they’ve come to know.
When you shed a tear then grab a gear, and get on down the road.

So roll on Rollin Thunder, so shiny and so clean.
And go on Leonard Testerman, enjoy your new found wings.

And this I pray to our dear God, to whom the angels sing.
That like a bright new star you’ll shine, and shine on sweet Charlene.

And last but certainly not least, Leonard’s wife Charlene added, “The encouragement I have always received from my husband, along with everyone’s thoughts and prayers, gives me the strength to go on. With everyone’s help that knew Leonard, I will be able to teach our grandson Tristan the strong will for life, happiness and compassion to help others that his grandfather had.” Everyone has been asking about a memorial fund for Leonard, so Charlene has decided to do what Leonard had talked about doing for some time – set up a trust fund for Tristan. Any and all donations received will go into this trust fund. “If Tristan would like to go to college, that’s great. If not, he can buy a truck and hit the road with grandma.”

The family is also putting together a book of sorts about Leonard so that Tristan might get to know his grandfather through some stories and/or pictures from those who loved him. Anyone who knew Leonard and who has a story or photo, be it good, bad or a little of both, is asked to please share them with the family so that Tristan might get to know his grandfather better through all of you. Stories, photos and/or donations may be sent to: Charlene Testerman, 10324 Liberty Road, Frederick, Maryland 21701.

Charlene, Heather, Russell, and Tristan would like to thank everyone for their kindness and their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and say, “God bless all of you.” When you look up at the heavens tonight, look for the brightest star and imagine that it’s Leonard shining down on all of us. After all, he always had the shiniest truck on the lot, why wouldn’t he be the brightest star in the sky! Shine on, Leonard, shine on.