Bob and Susan Beine

Bob and Susan Beine believe there are few things better to do for your community than to donate to an educational institution. In their case, that place is Ozarks Technical Community College. “It has a direct impact to the community that you can see working. You can see the people go through OTC and better themselves. OTC helped in their life,” Susan Beine said.

Bob Beine is the former owner of Republic Ford | Lincoln dealership and is a member of the OTC Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. Beine opened his dealership in Springfield in 1983, and at one point had six dealerships in the Midwest. Mr. Beine made many long-lasting friendships with people over the years who had OTC connections. “Don Wessel of the OTC Board of Trustees was a friend. I always respected him and always associated him with OTC. If that was a good cause for him, it was a good cause for me. I was honored to be asked to be on the Foundation board,” Mr. Beine said. To the Beines, OTC stands as a model for what education can do in training a workforce and opening future career paths for graduates. “OTC is very instrumental for the viability of Springfield; plus it really relates to my business as far as training technicians. We have several OTC graduates who are service technicians. The grads are as good as anyone I’ve ever had come into my organizations,” Mr. Beine said. Mrs. Beine said she believes everyone needs an education and OTC is a great place to receive one. “I think it helps all factions of life. I think OTC fits the bill in so many areas. It helps our whole community. We both attended junior college in Kansas. We know what it did for us and we want to pass it on,” she said.

Helping OTC maintain the quality of education that’s needed in the region is a big reason why the Beines donate. “You can’t go wrong supporting OTC. The Foundation is the place to give for scholarships to help the whole community, the youth and the people needing extra help to better themselves,” he said.