In Memoriam: Charles Plimpton, Hertz Franchise Owner

Charles Plimpton, a Hertz franchise owner, died on Jan. 21 in Virginia Beach, Va., after a battle with cancer.

After serving in the Navy during the Korean War, Plimpton got his start in the car rental industry in Chicago and was later promoted to vice president and regional manager for Hertz in the Northeast.

In 1974, Plimpton acquired the Norfolk, Va., Hertz franchise. After 26 years of operating the franchise, Hertz Corp. purchased it from Plimpton in 2000. At that time, Plimpton’s licensee was the second largest single location licensee in the Hertz U.S. network.

“Car rental demand in Norfolk is strong, and we are committed to maintaining the high level of customer service and community involvement provided for 26 years by Chuck Plimpton under the Hertz brand,” Joseph R. Nothwang, former Hertz president, vehicle rental and leasing, Americas and Pacific, said in a 2000 Hertz press release.

Plimpton was active in his community and supported nonprofits like the Hampton Roads Community Foundation and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).