Martin bosch A&B Service 1926-2025
Young Martin
Martin Bosch was born outside of Sibley, IA on January 19, 1926. His mother passed away when he was two, at which time he was sent to Bushnell, SD to live with family friends. He attended school until the eighth grade and then worked on the family’s farm. Growing up on a farm taught him the value of hard work and began his life-long interest in repairing things.
He continued working on different farms in the area until he decided, at the age of 18, to move out to Los Angeles to live with his sister. At the age of twenty-two he moved back to South Dakota. At that time he was hired by the International dealership in Elkton, SD. Shortly after getting married, he was drafted into the Army. He served two years as a truck mechanic on the Korean front line. He was very proud of this opportunity to serve his country.
A & B Service Garage
After returning home to South Dakota, he continued his occupation as a mechanic. In March 1958, Martin and Gilbert Asp decide to start in business for themselves. The business was called A & B Service Garage, located in Brookings, SD. They started in a building rented from the Brookings Coop, but in 1962 they bought land and built. The business was very successful and continued to thrive for 52 years.
In 1967, a local businessman came to Martin and asked if he had any interest in becoming the International truck dealer for the area. And there began his love affair with Internationals for the next 32 years. Martin drove Scouts through the 1980s. When International began installing diesel engines, he loved the Scouts even more. During those years, two of his children would also work at the dealership. David was a mechanic and Sheri was bookkeeper, parts sales, and truck sales. Eventually Sheri would buy out Gilbert Asp and become her fathers’ business partner. They would continue to own the truck dealership until 2010 when they sold the business.
Martins' passion for International
As Martin neared normal retirement age he bought a repossessed 1974 International pickup from the bank. It was a pickup he’d originally sold new to a customer. He restored the pickup to showroom condition. But he wasn’t done yet. He also purchased a 1949 KB3 International pickup to restore. Martin showed his pickups for many years at local shows and also attended a couple of shows that were put on by International. He won several awards, trophies, and plaques during those years.
The South Dakota IH scout and truck club
Martin and Sheri got to know Koby when he started calling the business in need of various parts. When Koby started South Dakota IH Scout & Truck Club, Martin was thrilled. Not only was there now a closer show he could attend but also because Koby was young and so interested. He loved attending Koby’s annual events…no matter what Mother Nature was giving us.
Martin Bosch 2025
Martin was an icon in the area for anything to do with not only international vehicles, but anything that had an engine. He loved mentoring young people that wanted to learn about vehicles. Even after his retirement at the age of 88, his yearning to learn about anything mechanically new kept his magazine subscriptions up to date. A highlight of the last few years was when his nephew took him for a ride in his electric car!
Martin stayed mentally sharp until the end. It’s his body that decided it had had enough. At the age of 99, he left just the way he wanted: at home, with no pain, and peacefully. Somewhere in Heaven, he’s on a creeper under an International vehicle!
