Trucking giant Pat Quinn dies at age 65 following battle with cancer

Under the leadership of Pat Quinn (above) and Max Fuller, U.S. Xpress grew from a 48-truck start-up operation to become the nation’s second largest privately owned truckload carrier. (Courtesy: U.S. XPRESS)

The Trucker Staff

12/13/2011

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Patrick E. Quinn, 65, co-chairman of U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc., a past chairman of both the American Trucking Associations and the Truckload Carriers Association, and a man considered to be among the giants of the industry, died Tuesday morning following a battle with brain cancer, his company has announced.

His last public appearance at a major trucking industry gathering was at the ATA Management Conference and Exhibition in Grapevine, Texas, in October, where he was greeted warmly by friends and colleagues. Despite the toll the cancer had taken on his physical presence, he moved about the convention center with his usual graceful countenance, his trademark smile and on the last day of the meeting, the traditional red coat worn by past chairmen of the ATA.

 “Pat was a tremendous business partner and he had a real passion for working to make a difference in our industry,” said U.S. Xpress Co-Chairman Max Fuller, who assumed the majority of Quinn’s duties at U.S. Xpress following his diagnosis earlier this year. “One of the most lasting accomplishments of my career was the business partnership that Pat and I established. We could count on each other to divide up the leadership responsibilities. Both of us knew our strengths, and Pat was a real people person. He excelled in sales and his legal background was very valuable, especially during the first days of the company as deregulation was helping to revolutionize the transportation industry.”

While transportation was Quinn’s life-long passion, trucking management was his adopted profession.

After earning a J.D. degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law, Quinn established a practice in Lincoln, Neb., where from 1971 to 1977, he was a partner in the law firm of Nelson and Harding specializing in transportation law.

 “Max’s dad [Clyde] offered me a job at Chattanooga,” Quinn said during an interview with The Trucker in 2006 while he was ATA chairman. “I was representing him [the elder Fuller owned Southwest Motor Freight] and it was the proverbial offer I couldn’t refuse, so I went from representing the public to inside counsel as part of the management team. I never planned on being in transportation when I went to law school.”

In 1984, Clyde Fuller sold his company to an outside interest. Then in July of 1985, Quinn and Max Fuller left Southwest Motor Freight and after waiting out a non-compete agreement, Quinn and Fuller formed U.S. Xpress.

On January 23, 1986, U.S. Xpress hauled its first load. “I can still remember the first load we handled,” Quinn recalled during the interview. “It was out of Long Beach, Calif. I don’t remember where it went, but I do remember where it came from.”

Under the leadership of Quinn and Fuller, U.S. Xpress grew from a 48-truck start-up operation to become the nation’s second largest privately owned truckload carrier, with 8,500 trucks and employing more than 10,000 people nationwide.

“U.S. Xpress is very proud of all the work that Pat did on behalf of our industry. Pat became a respected voice on a variety of transportation-related issues,” Fuller said. “Pat made an endless number of friends over his years in the transportation. To me, Pat was more than a friend. He was a true partner and, most importantly to me, Pat was family. Pat left an indelible mark on U.S. Xpress and our industry. He will be missed.”

Quinn served as ATA chairman from 2005-2007 and was chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association from 2001-2002.

“The American Trucking Associations and the trucking industry has lost one our finest leaders.  Pat Quinn was a remarkable man who devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy in support of the trucking industry he loved,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said. “U.S. Xpress, Tennessee Trucking Association, Truckload Carriers Association and ATA are all better organizations for having had the benefit of Pat’s involvement and leadership.

“Pat’s participation on the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission was one of many examples where his knowledge and passion for transportation brought him to the forefront in his service to the industry and nation.  He will be greatly missed,” Graves said. 

“Pat and I have known each other for nearly 40 years.  He has always been a dedicated and articulate representative of our industry and his company,” said ATA Chairman Dan England, chairman of C.R. England Inc., Salt Lake City. “Our industry has lost a real icon.   I extend my best wishes to his family in their time of great loss.  He was a good friend and I will miss him greatly.”

 “I have had the privilege of getting to know Pat over the past 13 years working with him at the Tennessee Trucking Association and TCA,” TCA President Chris Burruss said Tuesday. “Pat was always a voice of reason and always tried to find a compromise to bring our industry together.  I will miss his leadership presence but will miss his friendship even more.  My heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his family.  Our industry will sorely miss him.”

As an initial member of the ATA’s Image & Communications Committee, Quinn helped to develop the plan for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which has become a successful annual event celebrating the work of truck drivers throughout the country. During his term as chairman of ATA, Quinn received an appointment in 2006 from then Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission.

In 2009, Quinn was elected to serve as treasurer of the ATA.

He also served on the Trade & Transportation Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and he was on the board of trustees at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. A recipient of the 1997 Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Nebraska, Quinn was an active leader in his local community having served on the board of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and supported numerous charities and nonprofit organizations, including the MaryEllen Locher Breast Cancer Foundation and the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera. 

Quinn attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Chattanooga.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie Quinn; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Hank Pate, Renee and John Daly; son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Carol Quinn; and seven grandchildren, Riley Pate, Bealie Pate, Casey Pate, Connor Quinn, Michael Quinn, Ryan Daly and Meghan Daly.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in the name of Patrick E. Quinn to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org and click on the donation link.

Friends can visit www.heritagefh.com to view the memorial tribute and share words of comfort with the family.

Funeral services will be held at St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011 at 10:30 am.  Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends Friday, Dec. 16 from 3-7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road in Chattanooga. 

The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at editor@thetrucker.com.