We have received the sad news that the founder of Dica outrigger mats Dick Koberg has died. He passed away in hospital on June 27th in Guthrie Center, Iowa at the age of 82.
Dick Koberg
Koberg was born and grew up in in Durant, Iowa, after school he initially trained as a teacher, before enlisting in the US Army, serving from 1961 to 1964 as a cryptologic repairman. After leaving the services he found work with the Northern Mutual Insurance Company, leaving in 1969 to join his Uncle, Leo Levien who owned the car dealership Levien Chevrolet in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In 1977 he acquired his own dealership which became Koberg Chevrolet in Carroll, Iowa - north west of Des Moines, selling it in 1984. Later that year, he joined Bowie Manufacturing that made fibreglass bodies for mobile veterinary vehicles. During his time with the company, he expanded its business into the utility truck market. One day a fleet manager working for one of his customers said: “Can you build me a better outrigger pad”? He took up the challenge and created a hybrid fiberglass and wood outrigger mat that was stronger, longer lasting and easier to handle than the existing wood mats.
In 1987 he decided to leave Bowie to set up Dica with his wife Carolyn, using the first two letters of their first names to commercialise his new outrigger mat concept. After conducting a thorough research and testing programme he reach the point where he was happy with the product, finally incorporating the business in 1989.
Today, Dica is a leading manufacturer of outrigger mats, cribbing, ground protection and jack pads based at a 3,250 square metres in Urbandale, Iowa, with additional manufacturing facilities in Minnesota and Ohio. Dica remains in Koberg family ownership and is managed by Dick’s three sons - chief executive Kris, marketing director Kevin and strategic accounts manager Kerry who works alongside his wife, sales manager Kelly. Dick’s wife Carolyn and daughter Katie are non-executive directors.
He leaves behind his wife of 55 years Carolyn, and four children - sons, Kris, Kevin and Kerry and daughter Katie.
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