ROGER KASA/PLAINSMAN Steve Besch, who announced the winners of the semi-truck competition at Wheel Jam, also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Norman Mason. Mason was unable to attend because his wife was hospitalized.

Norman Mason of Huron, who has logged more than 70 years of service in the trucking industry, was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award on the final day of Wheel Jam VI here Sunday.

The award was presented by Steve Besch, who gave a brief biographical sketch on Mason. The award recipient, however, was unable to attend the program due to his wife’s illness. She was taken to the hospital’s emergency room, thus keeping the Mason family away from the program.

Besch said the award is presented to someone who has dedicated their lives to the trucking industry in any capacity and Mason has done that in many ways.

Born in Pierre, his family moved to San Diego, Calif. where he attended school.

“In 1945 I moved to Globe, Oregon and started driving truck at the age of 16,” he said. In 1947 he moved back to South Dakota and settled in Onida where he worked for Bill Paine at PTI as a driver and mechanic.

In the early 1970s he opened his own business with his wife, Rosemary. It was called Mason Provisions. He hauled meat from Huron to the West Coast and then brought produce back to the Twin Cities area.

He also worked as a mechanic for NTA Trucking for five years. He ran the ALCAN highway for a couple of years and shared with us a story about a hitch-hiker that got so scared going over a summit pass that he “grabbed his gear and jumped out of the moving rig. I never saw him on that highway again.”

Mason retired six months ago after a long and successful career on the road and as one of the finest mechanics in the area.

He is well-known and well-respected in the trucking world and his face will be missed on the road.

He and his wife have raised three daughters and one son. They are Cheryl (Blair) Meyer of Huron; Pamela Ochsner of Huron; and Sue (Gary) Bogger of Columbus, Neb. Their son, David, is deceased.

Prior to honoring Mason, trophies were presented to the top semi drivers of the weekend.

Dynamic Engine Brake: 1. Jarod Blue; 2. Mike Hiles; best interior: 1. Colin Stuart, Harvard, Ill.; 2. Cory Thene, St. Joseph, Mo.; best lights: 1. Mike Kvestad Faribault, Minn.; 2. Colin Stuart; Cab Over: 1. Steve Hendershot, LaPorte City, Iowa; 2. And Fiero, Balko, Okla.

Longest pull: fleet of three: 1. Habeck Trucking, Belle Fourche; Bobtail, 1984-older: 1. Colin Stuart; 2. Larry Olsen, Mitchell; Bobtail, 1985-89: 1. Jim Stevensen, North Mankato, Minn.; 2. Jim Finn, Manterville, Minn.; Bobtail 1990-2000: 1. Mike Kvestad; 2. Doug Perkins, La Centre, Minn.; Bobtail 2001-20061 Jr. Schlenger, Britt, Iowa; 2. Dusty Dinger, Bath.

Specialty class: 1. Tim Thomas; 2. Bob Zier; T/trailer 1984-older: 1. Steve Hendershot; 2. Jesse Wentzlaff, Humboldt; T/trailer 1985-89: 1. Noel Smith, Montevideo, Minn.; T-trailer 1990-2000: 1. Keith Jandel, Redfield; 2. Jeff Miller, Huron; T-trailer 2001-06: 1. Gary French, Cavour; 2. Dick Mette, Belle Fourche; T-trailer 2007-newer: 1. Darcy Whitsett, Belle Fourche; 2. Sid Drennen, Belle Fourche.





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