CARSON, Calif. — Long-time Multiquip and MQ Power sales and product manager Bob Stevens was killed in an automobile accident June 16. Stevens was 62.

Stevens filled various positions for 23 years for Carson, Calif.-based Multiquip and was the company's salesman of the year in 1980. He retired in 2001, settling in Sevierville, Tenn.

Stevens was hired as district manager for the Florida territory in 1978. In 1981, he was promoted to eastern regional sales manager. Later, he served as welding products manager and then as that division's eastern region sales manager. He ended his Multiquip career as manager of the company's telecommunications division.

Ron Johnson, CEO of MMD Equipment and a former Multiquip colleague, described Stevens as a close personal friend who was “well-known and loved in our industry.”

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 20, in Sevierville, Tenn.

Stevens is survived by his wife, Lois, and son, Robbie.