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Jesus in the driver's seat
Auto show co-chair tries to live his Catholic faith in daily life and in the business world
Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published January 13, 2006
Detroit — In the final week before the 2006 North American International Auto Show, Richard Genthe zipped from appointment to appointment in a full-to-bursting schedule to make sure everything was on track for the exhibition.
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North American International Auto Show co-chair Richard Genthe, a convert to Catholicism, has been a driving force behind the exhibition for the past five years. | Although the auto show takes up most of his time now, after it's over, he'll still be plenty busy with his family Chevrolet dealership, his work at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and his other activities. And even though it's hectic, Genthe, 53, is quick to credit God with the talent and skill to be able to handle so much at once.
"I think we all need to figure out how to make the best use of the gifts the Lord has given us," he said. "I won't be bored when the auto show is over."
Genthe, a converted Catholic, is senior co-chair of the auto show, which he has helped lead for the past five years. He also owns Dick Genthe Chevrolet Inc. in Southgate, which he operates with several of his children.
He tries to bring his faith into the workplace not by evangelizing every employee, he said, but by letting his faith come through in how he does business with the public and how he interacts with his employees – witnessing by example, he explained. For instance, when something goes wrong in the lives of his employees, they can come to him to pray together.
"They know I'm a Christian," he said. "Certainly everyone in his office knows why I do what I do."
Michael Monahan, president of Monahan Enterprises, LLC in Bloomfield Hills, said he's working with Genthe on Sacred Heart Major Seminary's capital campaign, for which Monahan said Genthe was "instrumental."
"I'm very fortunate to work with Dick," he said. "Dick is clearly a very dedicated, hard-working guy. He deals with people extremely well. He's very committed. He's obviously a man of great integrity."
Genthe's also very much committed to the Church, Monahan said, and contributes a lot of time, talent and treasure. "His faith comes through quite strongly," Monahan said.
Although Genthe's been a Christian all his life, he was a very strong Presbyterian growing up, he said. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1974 after being in the religious studies program, and was considering medicine, Presbyterian ministry or business.
He decided to enter the family car business, which has been around since 1916, and of which he's the third generation to participate. One sticking point was that he realized he could always be a solid Christian no matter which career he chose.
Meanwhile, he and his wife, Kathy, married after he graduated, and she converted from Catholicism for him. But after about two years, he said, she got homesick for her Church and asked Genthe if he'd consider Catholicism. He agreed.
While learning about the Church, he found many of his opinions were based on misconception, and became more understanding of what the faith was about. Now, he lives in Ann Arbor and attends St. Mary Student Parish.
Genthe, who drives an Impala Super Sport, works with a son and a daughter at his car dealership – another son may be joining – and he's grateful that he works in one of the few businesses in which he can see part of his family ever day. In all, he has six children ranging in age from 21 to 30 as well as six grandchildren.
"I've been very blessed during the course of my career," he said. "We see how the Lord has really worked to bring things together when you live a faith-focused, family life. The Lord has always provided for us."
Even in the more difficult times, such as when Genthe was in a skiing accident the day after Christmas, broke five bones in his face and needed reconstructive surgery, he believes the Lord is with him. "It's tremendous grace the Lord has given to bring this much healing," he said of his injury.
Bob Thibodeau Jr., president and general manager of Bob Thibodeau Ford in Center Line, called Genthe a gentleman, down to earth, sincere and a family man.
"He's an all-around good guy," Thibodeau said. "He's very principled."
Genthe's overall demeanor reflects his faith, Thibodeau added.
"Every day, his life is punctuated by the fact that he's a Christian," he said. "He conducts himself that way."
Genthe said being Catholic is a manner in living out life, adding that he hopes he can communicate that God is at the center of his life and that his faith is important to him. He said he just bought a new Blackberry electronic organizer and there were 863 names in it, many from auto show networking – all giving him an opportunity to witness by example, whether the relationship is business or personal.
"Hopefully you're looking for Christ in them and they're looking for Christ in you," he said.
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