Nominations for the Grand Island Senior High School Hall of Honor are accepted throughout each year. Nominations are reviewed each year and inductees are named. We are excited to announce the Hall of Honor Banquet & Celebration is projected to be held again in 2024.
The Hall of Honor, inaugurated in 1983, recognizes Grand Island Senior High School alumni who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the betterment of society. Nominees must have graduated more than 20 years ago from the high school. Each year, at least one person is inducted into the Hall of Honor.
Nomination Form
Online nominations are encouraged using the online form below. Email foundation@gips.org with questions.
Paper nominations also accepted using the PDF below. Paper nomination forms must be returned to the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, Attn: Kari Hooker-Leep, 123 S. Webb Rd., PO Box 4904, Grand Island, NE 68802.
Charles D. "Chuck" Bosselman
Class of 1963
Hall of Honor 2013
Charles D. “Chuck” Bosselman was born in Grand Island, Nebraska to Fred and Maxine Bosselman, the second of four children. After graduating from Grand Island Senior High in 1963, Bosselman attended Kearney State College and married Janet Wiese in 1965. He was an integral part of broadening the family business from truck stops to all of the businesses that comprise the Bosselman Companies, including Pump & Pantry, Boss Shops, Grandma Max’s, Nebraska Danger Indoor Professional Football, and various motels and quick serve food concepts. The Bosselman Companies have been in business since 1948 when Chuck’s father, Fred Bosselman, opened up the first Bosselman location, “Bosselman Eaton.” Chuck was the key reason why the business survived and continues to thrive into its 4th generation of the Bosselman Family.
In 1967, Chuck became General Manager of the Grand Island I-80 Bosselman Truck Plaza. Soon after, he expanded the Travel Center operations to several locations throughout the Midwest. Because of his foresight and leadership in this industry, Bosselman was elected to the Truck Stop Hall of Fame in 2012.
During the early 70’s, Bosselman raced late model race cars and won many championships, including the Nebraska State Fair Championship. He was named to the Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2012.
Bosselman brought together a handful of truck stop industry leaders in 1988, establishing “Ambest” (America’s Best Truck Stops), made up of a cooperative network of 150+ of the nation’s best independent truck stops. Ambest is still the industry leader and a major factor in independent truck stops surviving in today’s competitive market.
Bosselman was the driving force in establishing the Uni-Maxx Truck Care Network in 2011. This full-service truck repair shop network included his own Boss Truck Shops, plus Wingfoot Truck Care Centers. This network is the nation’s second largest offering high quality service and maintenance to truckers with locations coast to coast.
Bosselman based his business decisions on the foundations of Pride, Cleanliness, Fun, Integrity and Friendliness, and earned his reputation by hard work, sweat, and commitment to the customer. He participated in every aspect of the company to ensure it’s success; he would ask no employee to do what he wasn’t willing to do himself.
He was also an active leader within local and industry communities. Some involvement included: Crane Meadows, Heartland Events Center, Fonner Park sponsor of the $100,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Handicap, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, Crisis Center, American Red Cross, United Way, Stuhr Museum, Children’s Miracle Network, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Goodwill, academic scholarships, Grand Island College Park, 4-H, National Arthritis Foundation, National Cancer Society and the lead gift funder for the GISH “Restoring a Masterpiece” campaign for the performing arts auditorium.
Following a battle with cancer, Bosselman passed away in 2012. At that time, he was Chairman of the Board of the Bosselman Companies and oversaw 1,500 employees in 20 states.
