Grupo Tersa's Rodrigo Valle Hernandez dies at 69

SAN DIEGO — Rodrigo Valle Hernandez, founder of Mexican tire and automotive conglomerate Grupo Tersa, passed away at age 69 on Sept. 20, after battling bone cancer for more than a dozen years.

Three years ago, Valle became the first tire dealer in Mexico to receive the Tire Business Humanitarian Award, given to an independent tire dealer or retreader in North America who has made significant contributions to the betterment of his or her community through charitable and/or public service work.

Valle was hospitalized in San Diego at the time of his death.

Grupo Tersa comprises 150 tire and automotive service dealerships and three distribution centers in eight Mexican states.

Valle embodied a humanitarian. His Valle Bibb Foundation, which supports many of the other charitable organizations in and around Tijuana, had raised more than $3.5 million to support more than 15 charities. In the first seven years since Valle Bibb was formed, nearly 11,000 have received help in a country that offers little in public assistance.

Grupo Tersa also operates 13 auto dealerships and has a real estate arm, employing around 1,000 people. In 2022, the firm celebrated its 40th anniversary.

In 2019, Valle said Grupo Tersa had eclipsed $100 million in sales, with the tire business accounting for $60 million in sales alone.

Valle is survived by his wife, Denisse Bibb de Valle, five children (Denisse, Carolina, Stephania, Rodrigo and Andrea) and eight grandchildren.

Valle left a message for friends and colleagues before his death:

"Dear friends:

I say goodbye to this life full of gratitude for the journey I have taken.

Despite the prolonged battle I faced, I feel that I have been fortunate to have experienced so much love and so many experiences with all of you. Every day was a gift, and every smile shared an unforgettable treasure.

My heart is filled with gratitude for everyone who was by my side on this journey, for the lessons I learned, and for the love that surrounded me.

Although I say goodbye to this life, I do so with deep peace and gratitude for every moment I lived, from the bottom of my soul I send you a big hug.

... and as always "kisses, with HEALTH.

With gratitude and love."

Valle was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2009. At that time, doctors gave him 90 days to live.

"I told them I think you got the wrong patient," Valle told Tire Business in 2020.

Since that time, Valle had at least seven surgeries, more than 170 radiation treatments, a bone marrow transplant and stem cell infusion.

"Cancer — it was the worst word I had ever heard in my life," he said, recounting the day when he heard his diagnosis. "I told my buddy I thought I was burning inside. But I was not depressed. I was scared as hell, but not depressed."

Valle, a devout Catholic, said he put his trust in his doctor and God.

"Yes, I didn't want to die. But for me, leave it to the doctor and let God decide. I'll do my part. Having faith in God and in my doctor."

Earlier this year, in late June, Valle told Tire Business he was in the hospital again for cancer treatment.

Valle's dealership has had a long-time relationship with Group Michelin. In 1991, nine years after opening his shop, Michelin selected his dealership to be the tire company's exclusive distributor for Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico.

"The sun started to shine a little bit in 1987 or so," he said, "but I can't really say I had full sun until 1991 when Michelin came into Mexico. Michelin came in very strong with excellent, excellent programs. That's when everything changed for me for the good, for the best."

Valle told Tire Business that the only time he thought about his cancer is when he went for treatment.

"If I'm out, I don't think about cancer. If it's not in your mind, you don't remind yourself," he said. "I try to take it away from my mind and enjoy life, what I'm doing and with whom. Every moment for me is important."

Valle is the second winner of the Humanitarian Award to die within the past week. Douglas Anthony Blackman, founder of Atlantic Tire & Service of Cary, N.C., and recipient of the award in 2016, died Sept. 15 at age 69.

A service will be held Sept. 26 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Tijuana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Valle Bibb Foundation.