Celebrating Steve Porter: 46 Years of Loyalty, Laughter, and Legacy

After 46 years, we’re saying farewell to one of Walser’s most loyal and colorful figures: Steve Porter.

Steve started his career in 1979 at Walser Ford, prepping cars in the New Car Get Ready department (known today as Pre-Delivery Inspection or PDI).

It was there he met Peggy Ryan, who worked afternoons as the Parts & Service Cashier and Daily Rentals clerk. Peggy was hired by Mike Schrank, who today serves as Walser’s Sr. Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. Peggy would later become Steve’s wife. Together, they’ve been side-by-side at Walser and in life.

Steve also forged friendships in those early days that he still treasures today.

Over the years, Steve wore many hats in the Walser organization. From Sales Manager to Used Car Buyer to Director of Facilities & Risk Management. Yet, to many, he’ll always be remembered as Walser’s go-to Risk, Safety & Compliance leader.

“Safety Steve” earned his nickname by keeping a sharp eye on safety, risk prevention, and security, even spending Sundays walking Walser lots for unlocked vehicles.

People First, Always

What set Steve apart wasn’t just his job titles, it was his people-first approach. He made customers feel welcome, coworkers feel supported, and he never missed a chance to pitch in at Walser Foundation and Employee Resource Group events. Whether building dressers, handing out turkeys, driving a parade vehicle, volunteering at Hmong New Year, or grilling hot dogs at Walser Wednesdays, Steve always showed up.

“It’s not uncommon for someone with decades at an organization to step back, but Steve never did. He’s remained a constant supporter of Walser Foundation volunteer events, inclusion work, and Walser’s Employee Resource Groups,” said Dayna Kleve. “Thank you, Steve, for your unwavering dedication to Walser and to others.”

“The quality that I will always remember about Steve is his willingness to step up and help with whatever was needed. Steve was a tireless volunteer at Walser events, including being the recipient of the Volunteer Year Award, and he signed up for nearly every volunteer opportunity. A few memories that stand out are Walser Wednesdays at the Saints, the annual Turkey Drop, and the Drive to End Hunger. Steve loved grilling hot dogs at Walser Wednesday and didn’t mind dealing with the grill and driving on the highway with the grill precariously perched on the back of the truck. While Walser Wednesdays were fun and social, Steve’s roles with Turkey Drop and the Drive to End Hunger were less glamorous. Each year, Steve and I would load up the extra frozen turkeys into our vehicles and drive them to whichever food shelf we were donating to that year. Everyone loved delivering turkeys to employees at Walser locations, but dealing with the leftovers the day before Thanksgiving wasn’t necessarily high on people’s list of things to do on a busy day, yet Steve volunteered to help with this task each year. Similarly, collecting food donations from all the Twin Cities Walser locations once the Drive to End Hunger ended was time-consuming and at times hard work, and every year I could count on Steve to drive a truck to pick up boxes of donations and deliver and unload them at the local food distribution locations. Steve volunteered because he enjoys it, and because he truly cares about helping others – whether it’s his coworker or community members in need.” – Nancy Warner

Humor, Heart, and a Few Pranks

To know Steve is to know his dry humor, mischievous pranks, and trademark sayings like “Walk like a penguin” and “Do the right thing every day.”

“Who’s going to offer to buy everyone lunch on behalf of ANYONE that leaves their computer unlocked!” – Brent Fangel – General Manager, Walser Honda Burnsville

Longtime friend and Walser colleague Donna Rizner says she’ll never forget that sparkle in Steve’s eye that definitely means some mischief is happening.

“During Covid, Steve came by my desk and said, ‘I can’t believe they only sent you left-handed gloves!’ Of course, I freaked out digging through the box to test them, and he stood there laughing the whole time.” – Donna Rizner, Executive Administrator

Walser Chief Human Resource Officer Sherry Schultz recalled one particularly memorable day.

“The day Steve put a sign on my door that said ‘Hazard – do not enter, bat trapped inside.’ I was petrified—until I realized there was a baseball bat on the floor behind my desk,” Schultz said.

A True Teammate

Steve was as committed to sharing knowledge as he was to pulling pranks.

““It has been so fun to work with you and learn the ins-and-outs of work comp and preventable accidents (walk like a penguin!). Thank you for all the knowledge you shared.” – Olivia Barth, Employee Relations Manager

“Each time I talk with him, I learn something new about the work comp process. He’s passionate about his work and contributions, a joy to work with, and makes me laugh!” – Kirsten Halen, Employee Relations Manager

“Thank you, Steve, for all your years of dedication and hard work! You always had the safety of the Walser employees and customers at the top of your priorities, thank you for that! You will be missed, enjoy your retirement!” – Terri Kobe, Payroll Manager

Jason Loechler, General Manager at Walser Nissan Burnsville, reflected on Steve’s versatility:

“Steve has always been a true ‘Utility Player.’ He filled in as finance manager, sales manager, general manager, and many roles at corporate. Steve truly exemplifies what it means to be a Walser MVP.”

Stories We’ll Never Forget

Colleagues will also remember Steve for his larger-than-life stories:

Don Schilling

Walser Facilities Manager, recalled Steve driving a forklift through a wall during a dealership demo and later piloting the Walser bus back from a Saints game, completely unaware the awning had come loose the entire way.

Mike Schrank

Reminisced about fishing trips, Grateful Dead shows, and Pride parade memories with Steve, saying:

“He also played a part in me being hired as internal auditor 10 years ago! What strikes me about Steve is that he always focuses on doing the right thing. I won’t have to miss him because I will always be in touch!”

Jason Loechler

Said he always found it ironic that the biggest prankster he knew became the “Risk Guy.”

“Steve was always hanging toilet paper on a paper clip to hang on your pants or some sort of prank. He kept it fun and loose, which I appreciate. Obviously a big thing I remember is the Animal Ballons. Every kid got a ballon animal made when Steve was around,” Loechler said. “I will always remember when I became the General Manager of the Subaru store in 2007. Steve was working there and kind of running things while they found the permanent GM. I got the job fresh out of sales at Walser Toyota with only a couple years of sales and finance management experience.”

“I walked in on my first day and started to meet the team. The first thing Steve did was grab me and handed me a piece of paper and said, “Here you go. You need to let this salesperson go. He was late for the last time. Here is the paperwork. By the way, congratulations!’ I can still picture that devious smile and look in his eye that kind of said. ‘Good luck, sucker!’”

What’s next

In retirement, Steve looks forward to traveling, cooking, volunteering in the community, and spending more time with his kids and grandkids (with two more on the way). What he’ll miss most, he says, are the friendships he’s built over four decades.

“Walser will not be the same place without Steve Porter. His commitment to his craft was unmatched. Thank you, Steve, for all you did for the Walser legacy that will last for years to come.” – Lindsey Trett, Director of Talent Acquisition

“Happy Retirement, Steve! After so many years at Walser Automotive, it’s time for you to relax and enjoy life! Wishing you all the best in this next chapter! – Becky Walser

“Woo hoo, Steve! Congratulations and all my best as you enter the full-time Grandpa era. Enjoy.” – Kathleen Walser

The bottom line

Thank you, Steve, for your loyalty, integrity, and laughter. Walser won’t be the same without you, but your legacy lives on in the countless people you’ve mentored, pranked, cared for, and inspired.