The industry has lost another one of its own, with Peter J. Liegl passing on Monday, Nov. 18. 

While Liegl may have been more widely known in the RV space, his presence into the school bus market can be noted through a newer company name that may sound familiar: Forest River (Forest River Bus purchased Collins Bus in January and Trans Tech in June 2024). And Liegl is the face behind the brand.

Forest River launched in Elkhart, Ind., in 1996 "to help more people experience the joy of the outdoors" and manufactures RVs, cargo trailers, pontoons,  buses, vans, and even commercial work vehicles.

"It is with deep sadness that Forest River, Inc. announces the passing of its founder, Peter J. Liegl," the company stated. "Pete not only was a visionary leader who transformed the RV industry, but one of Indiana's proudest citizens and most generous philanthropists."

A statement from Forest River reads as follows:

"Chances are, you might not RV if it wasn’t for Pete. He made it his mission to make camping a thing, and just look at us all now. His vision brought investment to the industry, jobs to the community, and RVs to the masses. His focus on customer experience fueled innovation that will be felt for years to come.

He shared his success deeply. Quietly. Building community facilities. Protecting large swaths of undeveloped land. He liked to say that we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously, but he was, in fact, a serious man.

Like Elon Musk envisioning Tesla, Pete saw something in that first hand-built trailer and willed all of us to create what’s now a multibillion-dollar enterprise, nestled in the farmlands of Indiana. It was a vision good enough to entice Warren Buffet to buy the company after a single dinner. He did it by finding amazing people and arming them with trust and the space to operate. He held everyone accountable, and encouraged everyone to have a voice.

And all the while, he reminded everyone, every day, why we did this. That an experience in nature, away from it all, surrounded by family and friends, was the joy that our efforts delivered.

We miss you Pete, but rest assured that you have inspired millions of RVers to never stop going."

In 2005, Liegl sold his business to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, but remained at the company, working every day, even weekends, to steer the company toward continued success.

“We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” he said recently. “But we’re very serious about what we do.”

Liegl is survived by his wife Sharon, daughter Lisa L. Rees, son-in-law Logan Rees, and grandchildren Adrienne (6) and Ryan (3), and brother-in-law Gary Chamberlin.