In 1921, Jacob Ruxer, blacksmith shop owner and father of 12, became a Ford Dealer in St. Meinrad, Indiana. Over the next few years, Jacob acquired franchises for Star and Durant automobiles as well.
In 1928, Jacob's second-oldest son, Alvin (himself age 21 at the time), returned to St. Meinrad and convinced Jacob to sell him the Ford franchise. For the next 8 years, Alvin prospered by paying close attention to his Ford factory representative and applying the sales knowledge previously gained through selling tires to the automobile business. Having outgrown St. Meinrad, Alvin moved his operation in1936 to downtown Jasper, Indiana where he could have a proper showroom, parts department, and a service station.
In 1976, Alvin and Oliver decided it was time to retire from the Ford business and sold the dealership to three employees: Doug Abbett, Oliver's son-in-law; Will
Willie" Weinzapfel, and Norman "Sandy" Sendelweck. In 1979, Ruxer obtained the Ford heavy truck franchise, and work began on what is now Ruxer's current location; the new facility allowed the dealership to work on heavy trucks and their trailers alike. Ruxer continued to expand by opening its heavy truck sales and service facility, Ruxer Truck Center, in Evansville, Indiana serving the Tri-State area.
Alvin passed away in 1991. Will Weinzapfel retired from Ruxer in 1996 and passed away in 2012. Norman Sendelweck retired in 2006, and Doug Abbet, the last of three original partners, passed away after a short illness in 2013. Doug's sons, Nick and Phillip, carry on the family tradition; Nick as CEO and Phillip as Vice President. The foundations of Honesty, Hard Work, Vision, Value, and Family the business was built upon over 90 years ago remain the virtues we live and work by today.