ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Roger Gary Duininck, former owner of Royal Tire in St. Cloud, died July 26. He was 87.
After serving in the U.S. Army from 1957-59, Duininck attended the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud State College.
Duininck began his career in the tire business in 1963 when he founded St. Cloud Tire and Tread. He acquired Royal Tire in 1986 and was president and CEO until 1997 when he sold the business to his children.
During his tenure, he served on various advisory boards for Michelin North America, Bandag, Kumho Tire USA and Toyo Tire Corp.
He partnered with Bandag to launch one of the first off-the-road (OTR) tire retreading plants using the Bandag process.
Royal Tire also started the TireOne marketing program, which was acquired by U.S. Autoforce in 2011. Royal Tire was sold to Pomp's Tire Service Inc, in 2023.
Duininck is survived by his wife, Betty; sons Paul (Jeanne) and Patrick (Rachel); daughter Susan (Brian); seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
