It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Bob Mazer, who died this past weekend following a brief but incredibly courageous battle with cancer, as confirmed by Mazergroup CFO Wally Butler. Bob’s passing marks the loss of not only a visionary leader in the agricultural equipment world, but also a deeply respected figure whose presence, passion, and impact will be felt for generations to come.
Bob Mazer Hall of Famer
Bob Mazer exemplified everything it means to be recognized both as a Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame inductee and a Dealership of the Year honoree. He was a man who didn’t just work in the industry—he lived it, breathed it, and built his life around it. His heart was rooted in agriculture, and his unwavering commitment to the farming community shaped every aspect of his career.
In an interview conducted earlier this year as part of his nominations for both the 2025 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame and the 2025 Dealership of the Year awards, Bob reflected on the early years of his journey. “My heart has always been in agriculture and farming,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave the farm. And so, my complete being wasn’t very focused on school—it was focused on how I was going to get out of school to go farming.” While academics may not have held his attention, Bob’s life work tells a different story—one of a sharp, intuitive businessman whose leadership would come to shape the future of ag equipment retail in North America.
Bob Mazer Career
Bob Mazer officially joined his family’s business in 1968 at the age of 18. Over the decades that followed, his entrepreneurial drive and relentless energy helped transform the operation founded by his father into the largest New Holland dealership group in North America. Today, Mazergroup spans 18 locations across Manitoba and Saskatchewan—a testament to Bob Mazer’s strategic vision, work ethic, and commitment to growth.
Doug Harvey, president and CEO of DLH Group and a longtime friend and trusted advisor to the Mazergroup, affectionately compared Bob’s energetic and relentless nature to a whirlwind force of nature. “If you’ve seen the Tasmanian Devil, then you’ve seen Bob,” Harvey quipped. “Bob is driven.
He doesn’t suffer fools lightly. He wants success.” Doug went on to describe how Bob assembled a strong executive leadership team and brought structure and professionalism to a rural industry often overlooked for its business acumen. “The farm equipment business—especially in rural Canada or rural America—doesn’t come with a lot of pomp and ceremony,” Harvey noted. “But Bob brought in a strong HR vice president who put solid people processes in place. He understood the importance of good leadership and great culture.”
What was Bob Mazer known for
While Bob Mazer’s presence will be deeply missed, his legacy remains alive in the business he built and the people he mentored. His leadership laid a foundation for sustainable success, and those closest to him remain confident that Mazergroup will continue to grow and evolve, just as Bob envisioned.
John Schmeiser, COO of Vi by visorPRO and former president and COO of the North American Equipment Dealers Association, spoke of Bob with reverence and admiration. “Bob Mazer will be remembered as one of the most respected and forward-thinking equipment dealers in the agricultural equipment industry,” he said. “His contributions helped shape the industry into what it is today.”
Indeed, Bob Mazer’s story is one of grit, vision, and a lifelong commitment to serving the agricultural community. Though his journey ended too soon, the mark he left is enduring. His legacy lives on through the thriving dealership network he built, the relationships he forged, and the countless people he inspired along the way.
Memorial details will be shared by the family at a later date. In the meantime, we honor Bob Mazer’s life, leadership, and love for the land.