W. Thomas (Tom) Kirchhoff Jr., third-generation owner of Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, after a four and half year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Tom was 44 years old.

Mr. Kirchhoff joined Cleveland Brothers in May 1994 as a Management Trainee, and went on to lead the sales and marketing teams. In 1997, He also was responsible for the development of CB Rents, the Cleveland Brothers Rental Services Division.

In 2000, Mr. Kirchhoff was named executive vice president, responsible for the sales and marketing functions of Caterpillar general line products, CB Rents and CB Con-Agg.

Mr. Kirchhoff was named executive vice president and COO of Cleveland Brothers in 2004. Also in 2004, he was named dealer principal of Cleveland Brothers by Caterpillar.

In 2005, with his cousin Jay Cleveland Jr., Mr. Kirchhoff oversaw the acquisition and merger of Beckwith Machinery Company. He was an instrumental part of the leadership team that ensured a smooth transition as the company doubled in size.

Mr. Kirchhoff is the son of William T. Kirchhoff, former Cleveland Brothers chairman of the board and the grandson of Royal E. Cleveland, founder of Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company.

Mr. Kirchhoff was diagnosed with ALS in 2010 and since, lived a near full life with the help and support of his family and many friends including his wife, Staci, and their children, Tommy, Sam, Brynley and Ty.

Prior to joining Cleveland Brothers in 1994, Mr. Kirchhoff was a football player, beginning at Cedar Cliff High School. He went on to become a star quarterback at Lafayette College, and was inducted into the Lafayette College Sports Hall of Fame in November 2012. After college, Mr. Kirchhoff signed a professional contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mr. Kirchhoff served on the Board of Directors of various organizations including Project ALS, Harrisburg Area YMCA, and the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors. He was recognized by the Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) with the Ambassador of the Industry Hall of Fame induction in 2014.

Mr. Kirchhoff will be missed by his many friends, family and fellow colleagues. He leaves a strong legacy of family, friendship and professionalism that continues in the Cleveland Brothers business culture.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Project ALS at 801 Riverside Drive, Suite 6G; New York, N.Y. 10032

The Institute for EthnoMedicine — Attn: Marilyn Asay at P.O. Box 3464, Jackson, Wyoming 83001

Hospice for all Seasons at 280 South Hill Drive, Grantville, Pa., 17028.

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