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The Story

Of

Ralph Kirby

When I receive a Legends nominee, I like to dig a little and gather a few facts about the driver before I reach out to them to schedule our initial interview. I usually run with the basics, and allow his or her personality to pull through naturally during our ‘talk’ in which, I translate their personal testimony into words of honesty spoken from their respective point of view. Once the article is complete and approved the outcome almost always delivers a humbling response from the driver. As well as, validates the entire reasoning behind the selection to be recognized with a full cover story referencing their hard work and dedication, while also making a positive impact in the trucking industry. Being considered a mentor, a good role model, and prime example of how to lead a work force of drivers as a team requires professionalism, along with a great deal of willingness.

This Legend works in fine unity with the staff at Hirschbach, demonstrates punctuality to a fault and a devotion to his craft that is extremely rare to find after the many years he has spent running over the road. I picked up on his upbeat charm and humor within the first five minutes. In glancing over my notes on Ralph Kirby, I asked him if the correct number of years that he has been driving professionally as a truck driver was indeed 38? His response was right on cue. I knew immediately this interview was going to be fun! He answered with, “Yes, I started driving in 1976 right out of high school. That’s close to 40 years now, but I’m not looking to make a career out of this or anything.” He’s as comical as he is lighthearted.

Featuring an article on another highway hero willing to share their glory days, what pushed them to keep moving forward during tough times, and who inspired their happiest days in life is relatable on so many different levels. Then, add to the story line a personality brimming with enjoyable wit and an all-around likeable charm; you know you’re in for a treat. Ralph Kirby is exactly that. True-blue all the way.

Toss-Up

Ralph Kirby was born in 1958, him being the only boy was the second to youngest of four children. His mother stayed home to raise the kids, while his father worked for the railroad. Ralph wasn’t introduced to trucks until his late teens, but they did catch his eye from time to time when he passed them on the road. Until he did finally succumb to the inevitable, he kept occupied with his second favorite passion: horses.

Growing up, Ralph’s uncle had a ranch with many horses. He began riding at the age of four. As a teenager, he participated in team roping off and on for several years. With the unlimited access to horses over the years and his insight to farming with his family, Ralph knew his decision would come down to one or the other. He continues, “I was always on my uncle’s horses. On the ranch that is all we had, and cows. I was probably around six when I knew that these two things are what I enjoy the most. It was pretty much going to be a toss-up… between being a cowboy or a truck driver.”

His father instilled the importance of strong work ethics, in place of trucking knowledge. “My dad was not in trucking, but I still learned the value of work early on. He would tell me that you must work hard to get where you’re going. And you better enjoy doing it! Losing him in 1999 has been the toughest battle for me. He had ridden with me before on other jobs. It’s just different now. I’ll think to myself, he’s watching me and hear him say, ‘You better straighten up boy.’”

The Take Off

Ralph had waited patiently. The opportunity finally presented itself at 18, he climbed into a semi-truck for the first time. Still a student in high school, a friend offered to pay him to ride with him to Phoenix. Together they would load hay on to a 24-foot flatbed and bring it back to his hometown of Winslow. He was hooked!

After graduating, Ralph earned his Class B license and went to work for the same guy that his friend sold his truck to. He stayed on with him, delivering hay to New Mexico and throughout Arizona. It wasn’t for long though…

Ralph joined the Army and left for boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, located in Missouri. After his basic training and AIT, he was stationed at Fort Riley Army Base in Riley, Kansas for almost two years. Ralph pursued his career in transportation hauling explosives until he was deployed overseas to Germany. He remained there, hauling heavy equipment until November of 1979. Ralph came home and returned to civilian life.

“I gained a lot of experience from my time in the Army, with the various pieces of equipment. My time spent working with ammunition and explosives later landed me a job leased to an explosives company due to my training from the military,” he said. His big take away from serving in the U.S. Army that he can now apply to his trucking career is the seriousness of responsibility. He explains, “You have to be responsible doing what you’re doing. You don’t just jump into something and half way through it when it’s not going your way, bail out. You must learn to work through it. Take responsibility.”

At 24, a man by the name of Dan Ramsey came into his life and changed it for the better. Dan inherited his father’s trucking company that he continued to manage and grow. Ralph went to work for Dan, soaking up every piece of knowledge that Dan spoke about the trucking industry. “Dan was just one of those guys in the business. I learned a lot from him.” With Dan’s encouragement, combined with his father’s advice on work ethic and his own military discipline, Ralph was destined to do great things in the trucking business. With all the positive influences nudging him in the right direction, he has yet to slow down.

Cruise Control

Blessed with a successful career carried through by a man devoted to his job and providing excellent service at all times, Ralph sets a standard for other drivers to acknowledge; not for the fact of envy, but knowing that it is attainable. And for hope… Many veteran drivers mention how the image of today’s driver has evolved. Ralph’s career, integrity, and principles define how every adult being should approach life. He gives us hope that we are in fact on track. We just need to shine the light on him, along with the rest of the ‘Ralphs’ in trucking so that we can lead by example and follow with intentions to succeed.

“To accomplish anything, you have to stay committed to it. Stay focused and really work at it. That goes for anything. As for trucking, through my whole career I have never had an accident. Almost 40 years and over 4 million miles, all accident-free. My dad taught me the right way of doing things. He would remind me that I’m not the only person on the road. There are too many unnecessary accidents that happen every day and too many ways for all of this to be yanked away from me. So always, do things safely and get the job done!” He adds, “Sounds easy enough, but that’s really all you have to do.”

His offered advice to current drivers is as simple as his every day routine. Start the day with a positive attitude. Should things veer into left field, which they can and will, continue to keep a smile on your face because it only takes another moment to make everything right again. Being a part of the trucking industry allows Ralph the concept that he is helping our country as a nation. I feel that he is correct 110%. All professional truck drivers are contributing to the heart of society. That alone is the reason Ralph states he is proud of his profession.

Ralph joined the team at Hirschbach back in 2007, as an owner operator. He is in a 2015 Peterbilt Conventional typically running three months at a time on a dedicated route. He describes Hirschbach as an excellent company to work for, and the staff are always helpful. “When I first started, I came over from another company with my own truck and trailer. Since day one they have all been perfectly honest with me. It’s been 10 years and they still treat me the same. Any issues, they try to resolve them with urgency and any problems with pay checks, they are quick to get it straightened out. I feel they put their drivers first. Everybody that I have worked with have been outstanding. Zero smoke!” Then he states, “I like to get people laughing and the people in our office do too. It’s a great fit.”

“Ralph always has a positive attitude and a smile on his face. We recently celebrated his 1 million safe miles with Hirschbach.”

-Jesse Burnette, Sr. Director of Recruiting

Ralph has no plans of retirement any time soon. His only agenda is to drive as long as he is able. “I just love driving. This is the best career I can do that allows me to drive like this, so I keep at it. I couldn’t do anything else and see the places that I get to see. I honestly love every mile that I drive,” he says. While away on the road, he likes to leave early enough to enjoy the ride and his surroundings. His favorite things to see are everything! The different parts of the country: the deserts, the mountains, the city lights, the open lands. All of it. Occasionally, when in the area at the right time, he likes to watch the rodeos at Oak City.

He claims his biggest triumph attributed to trucking is his home. “I have a beautiful place. My mom stays there too. I try to help her as much as I can. It’s on 10 acres. Then, owning my own truck and trailer and being able to pay for it all. I never would have got any of this without trucking.” When he can, he visits family and stays in touch with his daughter, Tagen and her five children.

On the road with him is his sidekick, Claire. Claire is his five-year-old Red Heeler that he rescued after his sister sent him a picture of her when she was still a puppy. She has been in the truck for a couple of years now. Together they cruise the country enjoying every day, admiring the little things that we tend to take for granted. Maybe we should take a page from Ralph’s narrative and start this new year off as he does every day. With a smile, some laughter and a positive outlook.