Los Angeles tire dealer commissions mural to honor grandfather

LOS ANGELES — Tom Eisenberg has immortalized the man who taught him everything he knows as a tire dealer: his maternal grandfather, Bob Mirman, who died last Oct. 31 at age 86.

Mr. Eisenberg commissioned a mural to memorialize Mr. Mirman, who founded West Coast Tire & Service in 1970. The mural,which was completed Jan. 9, depicts Mr. Mirman standing by tires in his beloved shop, with words "In Loving Memory of Bob Mirman" as well as the dates of his birth (Nov. 30, 1930) and death (Oct. 31, 2017).

Mr. Eisenberg said his grandfather was his mentor for the last nine years, teaching him everything he knows in the business. He said Mr. Mirman worked at the shop nearly every day of his life, up to two or three months before his death.

"The No. 1 lesson that I think about every day is, 'Liars figure but figures never lie, trust the numbers.'" Mr. Eisenberg said. "He taught me to work hard and stay humble, never raise my voice and always observe before acting. He was a great teacher."

The artwork was done by DJ Neff, who operates the Mar Vista Art Department. Mr. Eisenberg said he is a friend as well as good customer who paints murals all over the city. It took Mr. Neff roughly four days to complete.

Mr. Eisenberg said he has received plenty of positive comments from customers, vendors and employees.

"Some people didn't realize he passed, so it's a nice way to let them know without forcing anything on them."