Russ Guthery, a pioneer in the aerial lift industry, died of a heart attack last week at his home near Fresno, Calif., at the age of 73. Guthery started his career in southern California with A-1 Machinery Rentals and from there went to work for Rental Yard Supply and Parker Lift where he played a role in the development of the three-wheel scissorlift.
Guthery also worked for Weber Products in Fresno, Calif., helping produce the Placer telehandler and Bandit scissorlifts. He also worked with Versalift/Condor, and Calavar Scissorlifts.
Guthery worked in engineering and the research and development areas as well as marketing.
“He loved working on projects from the ground up, with a blank sheet of paper, so to speak,” Rick Moyer of Fresno, Calif.-based Continental Reach Management told RER. “Asked ‘how did you come up with that, Russ?’ he would say a little chalk on the floor was the blueprint and you better copy it before we sweep.”
Guthery was well known in the rental industry and was a popular figure at trade shows and other rental and lift industry events.
Guthrey is survived by his wife Pat, three daughters, Debbie, Chick and Laurie, his brother Dick, 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be held for Guthery April 16 at Wallin’s Fowler Funeral Home, 302 East Merced St., Fowler, CA 93625, 559/834-2531.
