Kyle Hesse, founder of Seattle-based Star Rentals, died recently at the age of 91. In 1960, Hesse approached Irv Rabel, then owner of Star Machinery Co., about expanding Star’s small equipment rental operation and making it a dedicated rental business. Star Rentals Inc. was born in March of that year with a single branch operation in Seattle.
Star grew to become the leading rental player in the Pacific Northwest. Hesse was widely viewed as a pioneer in the rental industry in the northwest.
“At the time of his retirement in 1997, Kyle was known by many for the strong business principles he was guided by built on a foundation of honesty, integrity and fairness to all,” said current Star CEO Bob Kendall, who was hand-picked and nurtured by Hesse to eventually become his successor. “The legacy Kyle left behind is an operation dedicated to serving customers. The company today embodies the culture Kyle nurtured to create cohesiveness, that same high level of customer service, and business model that was sustainable for generations.
“Although he will best be remembered for creating Star Rentals, I sincerely believe that anyone who worked for Kyle would say that they are fortunate to have known him and were better human beings because of it. The world would be a better place if there were more people like Kyle in it.”
