The American Repossessor

This issue of The American Repossessor is dedicated to memory of a fallen, long time comrade in arms, Dick Douse. Use the link below to view or sign the guest book.

Douse, Richard (Featured Guest Book)

A tow truck driver was killed when his rig plowed into the back of a compact car on a rural, quiet stretch of SR 80 Friday morning. The car was pulverized. Three children were killed. And their mother was critically injured. Investigators struggled to understand why. "That's an extremely flat and clear stretch of road,” said Lt. Tim Frith, spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol. “There’s no reason why those two cars couldn’t see each other. "Both vehicles were traveling west on S.R. 80 when the tow truck, driven by Richard Douse, 63, rear-ended a Honda Accord, driven by Rosa Lopez Mendez, 21. The accident happened about 11:40 a.m., one mile west of 20 Mile Bend. One child, 5-year-old Carlos Lopez, died at the scene. His brothers, 4-year-old Victor Lopez and 3-month-old Jason Vasquez, were taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where they died.
(Courtesy Palm Beach Post)

Dick started in the recovery business in 1977 and was one of the first people in West Palm Beach . It all started when he was sent on a "TOW" job that turned out to be a little bit more than just a tow job , he soon found out that there was more money in repo`s than the towing he was doing . I can remember riding in the back of a white Lincoln Continental out to Belle Glade , Fl. to repo cars with a trunk full of slap hammers , ignition pullers , picks and a tow strap (you old timers will remember those days) . He made friends with almost everyone he came into contact with . He had a larger than life attitude towards everything he did .

I never feared for my safety when I was with him because one of the first things he taught me was how to watch his back and I knew when I was busy picking a car or whatever he was watching my back . Over the years he became my Father , mentor and friend and set the path for the rest of my life.

Our condolences and prayers are with the Douse and Palm Beach Recovery families. We will have more photos and stories in our August print edition.