The Golden Age of Trucking Museum
Volunteer of the Year 2010

The Golden Age of Trucking Museum is pleased to announce its “2010 Volunteer’s of The Year”.Each year the museum staff and its volunteers vote for a person who they feel is deserving of this honor. This year two volunteers were chosen and therefore congratulations are extended to Don Arnauckas and Bob Manchester.

“Don and Bob are two gentlemen who very much deserve recognition for all of the time and effort they spend promoting and representing The Golden Age of Trucking Museum. Their knowledge of the history of trucks and the trucking industry is insurmountable. ”, said Director, Kathi Jones. 

Don Arnauckas has been in the trucking industry since 1969 and for the past twenty-eight years has been owner of D.W.A. Transport, Oakville, Connecticut.

Don’s interest in trucks and the trucking industry goes back to his childhood. He began driving trucks while in the Army.

Over the years Don has accumulated a vast collection of trucking industry related photos and literature and various truck models. He recently contributed to the museum library over thirty photo albums which have been catalogued according to truck makes and models. Many of the photos lining the walls of the museum’s main showroom are from Don’s collection. 

He owns a 1977 Kenworth which he often takes to local shows to represent and promote the museum. His passion for trucks and their history is an integral part of his life. Don is a museum volunteer and also serves as a member of the Board of Directors. He is also an active member of both the American Truck Historical Society and the Antique Truck Clubs of America.

Don is married, has two children and three grandchildren and resides in Oakville, Connecticut.

Bob is 70 years old and a lifelong resident of Cromwell, Connecticut. He graduated from Middletown High School and attended the University of Connecticut. Bob has been married for 48 years to Joan Anderson Manchester and has three children and nine grandchildren. Two of his sons are involved with antique trucks and shows. 

In October of 1964, Bob began as a commercial driver for American Oil Company, also known as AMOCO. Museum founder, Dick Guerrera, also began driving for AMOCO that same day. Bob was a commercial driver for fifty-three years. He held all jobs in the terminal and retired in 1987 as Manager of Distribution Facilities in New Haven.

Bob has been involved with antiques since 1987 traveling with Dick Guerrera to ten to twelve shows per year until 1997.

In 1991, Bob acquired his first antique truck and now owns six; three Autocars, one Brockway and two Peterbilts.

He has been on board with The Golden Age of Trucking Museum since, “before day one”; active as a volunteer, exhibitor and Board of Director’s member. Alongside of other museum supporters, Bob strives to represent The Golden Age of Trucking Museum at truck shows in the eastern U.S.

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Past Featured Volunteers

Joan Manchester
Paul Molzon
Richard Way