Oscar John Opperman (1884-1941) worked with his father, Carl J.D. Opperman, producing electric cars under the title of “Carl Opperman Electric Carriage Co. Ltd.” in Clarkenwell, London. This started the long history of Opperman fathers and sons working together.

In 1908, Oscar boarded a ship from London to the United States. Oscar settled in Chicago, IL with his wife, Frances Sinclair. David Sinclair Opperman (David Sr) was born in 1910. Growing up, his father Oscar owned a service station on Long Island, NY before moving west in the late 1910s. 

By the late 1920s, Oscar opened  the Pacheco Pass Garage, a gas station and mechanic shop, just outside of Gilroy, CA, with his son David Sr by his side. 

During the 1930s, Oscar and his two sons, David Sr and Ralph, went into business in the logging and lumber industry north of San Francisco in the Cazadero area.

In 1953, David Sr. (1910-1991) moved his wife Elizabeth (Betty) and three kids; David Jr, Betsy, and Stephen (Steve) to Healdsburg, CA. 

David Opperman Jr (1932-2022) worked with his father David Sr, converting old logging trucks into water trucks in their Healdsburg shop. This business grew as they began renting out their converted logging rigs as demand for heavy equipment increased. 

In 1964, the business moved to its current location at 280 Kinley Drive in Healdsburg and David Opperman Sr with his son David Jr incorporated Opperman & Son. 

David Jr served time in the United States Air Force (1948 - 1955) and married his wife, Gloria, who he had five children with; Kim, David III, Brian, Marc, and Kara. David Jr. became President of Opperman & Son following his father’s death in 1991, until he retired in 1999 to do more adventuring. 

Stephen Opperman, known to many as Steve-O, excelled in his role on the sales and purchasing side of the business. He was key to the success and growth of the business. He served as President from 2000-2008, then stepped back so he and his wife Shirl could spend more time traveling in their motor coach. 

By 2008, the 3rd generation executed the perfect “divide and conquer”. David Opperman III managed the Service side of the business before retiring in 2023. Brian Opperman supervises the Parts side of the business. Marc Opperman has focused primarily on Sales and Purchasing, serving as President since 2008. 

The 4th generation came on board starting in 2013 with the addition of Whitney Opperman, Marc’s daughter, in an Inside Sales role focusing on New Equipment Sales. She currently serves in the General Manager role. Brian Opperman Jr, Brian Sr’s son, also joined the business in 2015 in the Parts Department where he currently serves as the Parts Warehouse Manager.

Today at Opperman & Son, two generations of Opperman family members work side by side, including “the brothers” along with their two sisters, Kim and Kara. The family upholds the core values of the company: Quality, Service, & Integrity. We are proud to be celebrating 60 years in business and 4 generations of family involvement. We thank each one of our valuable team members and our long time repeat customers for making it possible.