This is a long post and sorry if I’m posting this inappropriately, pass over it if you want; I just felt the need.
A good friend of mine, George Ryan passed a few months ago and tomorrow there is a Celebration of Life for him at Concord Tractor in NH. I wish I could, but I won’t be able to attend, so this is what I would express if I could be there.
I met George probably 40 years ago when he and his brother ran Ryan Ford Tractor. Didn’t end up buying a tractor from him, but the discussions we had left a positive impression about this guy; very knowledgeable, straightforward, no pressure, willing to spend time and listen to what I thought I needed in a tractor, suggesting what I really needed and without trying to push me into anything. This was my first tractor purchase, and I learned a lot about what I needed, and why, as opposed to what I thought.
Years later I met him again at a Kubota dealership where he was then working. He remembered me and we hit it off, spent hours discussing everything in tractors, life, jobs, whatever else. I did end up buying my L5740HSC Cab from him, and I am grateful that he talked me into it. I told him I didn’t need a cab tractor, and he looked at me and said, “Yes you do”. Bought it and I am so glad I did!
A few years later he left the Kubota dealership and with wife and daughter open a Kioti dealership. I was looking for a second tractor and thought a Kioti might be a better cost-effective option. I had found a used CK3520SE for sale and asked him what he thought. Again, after hours of discussions about everything in tractors and life, he gave me the best price he could on a new one but agreed the used one would be a better deal. Again, a great guy, being honest and not pushing a sale.
I sincerely miss him, not as a tractor salesman, but as a great friend.
My Kubota is now named GeorgeR, and the Kioti GRyan.
I am posting this on the Kubota and Kioti sites being as I have both tractors and have depended on George to steer me right with tractor, implement and service. And as George and I discussed life as the song goes, "God is great, Beer is good, and People are crazy"
Miss you George
A good friend of mine, George Ryan passed a few months ago and tomorrow there is a Celebration of Life for him at Concord Tractor in NH. I wish I could, but I won’t be able to attend, so this is what I would express if I could be there.
I met George probably 40 years ago when he and his brother ran Ryan Ford Tractor. Didn’t end up buying a tractor from him, but the discussions we had left a positive impression about this guy; very knowledgeable, straightforward, no pressure, willing to spend time and listen to what I thought I needed in a tractor, suggesting what I really needed and without trying to push me into anything. This was my first tractor purchase, and I learned a lot about what I needed, and why, as opposed to what I thought.
Years later I met him again at a Kubota dealership where he was then working. He remembered me and we hit it off, spent hours discussing everything in tractors, life, jobs, whatever else. I did end up buying my L5740HSC Cab from him, and I am grateful that he talked me into it. I told him I didn’t need a cab tractor, and he looked at me and said, “Yes you do”. Bought it and I am so glad I did!
A few years later he left the Kubota dealership and with wife and daughter open a Kioti dealership. I was looking for a second tractor and thought a Kioti might be a better cost-effective option. I had found a used CK3520SE for sale and asked him what he thought. Again, after hours of discussions about everything in tractors and life, he gave me the best price he could on a new one but agreed the used one would be a better deal. Again, a great guy, being honest and not pushing a sale.
I sincerely miss him, not as a tractor salesman, but as a great friend.
My Kubota is now named GeorgeR, and the Kioti GRyan.
I am posting this on the Kubota and Kioti sites being as I have both tractors and have depended on George to steer me right with tractor, implement and service. And as George and I discussed life as the song goes, "God is great, Beer is good, and People are crazy"
Miss you George
