Arnie Sperling, a longtime Los Angeles tire dealer who was instrumental in the formation of the Independent Tire Dealers Group LLC (ITDG) as a founding shareholder, died on Oct. 2, 2018. He was 74.
"One of good guys passed away Tuesday," said Barry Steinberg, owner of Direct Tire & Auto Service in Watertown, Mass.
Sperling's family started Globe Tire Co. in 1932, and ran it for 37 years until Arnie and his brother, Stan, bought the business from their father in 1969. With the help of Jay Goldberg, they grew the business, now known as Globe Tire & Motorsports. They opened Globe Tire & Automotive in Manhattan Beach in 1972, and purchased multiple other locations around Los Angeles and Orange Counties. At one time, Globe Tire had 18 locations.
After his brother and Goldberg retired, Arnie ran the stores. He sold the last two outlets close to one year ago.
"We had more than a business partnership," said Goldberg. "We remained very close friends, and our familes shared events together."
Many of Sperling's tire and wheel customers were athletes from the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers and other professional sports teams. "A rumor has it that even some Boston Celtics players would shop at Globe Tire!" says Chris Barry, senior sales director for ITDG.
"I have had the pleasure to call on Arnie for close to 25 years and I loved each and every meeting with Arnie. It would always start with the 'snow report' as Arnie was an avid snow skier in Mammoth Mountain and he also loved Utah. Then the conversation would automatically go to UCLA football and basketball, and we would always bash the Bruins, but then admit that we both loved to watch each and every game, win or lose.
"Arnie was a great sounding board as he knew each and every program inside and out and always gave me great advice," added Barry.
Sperling was also very active in the California Tire Dealers Association.
Arnold Louis Sperling was born March 16, 1944. According to his obituary, the Pacific Palisades, Calif., resident died peacefully after a long struggle with lung cancer.
"Arnie was the best husband, uncle, employer, friend, citizen, philanthropist, patient and role model," it reads. "His company, Globe Tire and Motorsports, not only set an industry gold standard for service to his clients, but was a model of employee-first business practices.
"He delighted in travel, skiing, fine food, music and art, especially when shared with family and friends, to whom he was fiercely loyal and devoted."
Sperling is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lynn; his father-in-law, Harry Shragg; his brother and sisters-in-law, Bruce Shragg and Robyn Samuels, and Leona Sperling; his nieces and nephew, Lily and Shira Samuels-Shragg, Phil Sperling, Judy Sperling, and Mindy Sperling Schiffman; his godchildren, Emily, Jacqueline, and Eva Weiner; "and a circle of close knit uncles, aunts and cousins who adored him and were dearly loved in return."
