BodyShop Business contributor and collision repair shop owner March Taylor died tragically over the weekend after suffering a heart attack while diving in Hawaii. He was 59.

Taylor owned Auto Body Hawaii in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii . Not your typical shop owner, he worked alongside his employees as a technician. This, he said, gave him “the opportunity to see things how they really are. I’m not disconnected from production or management.”

Taylor was involved in the industry outside of his shop as well, serving as a national director for the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), vice chairman of the Collision Industry Conference’s Technical Presentation Committee and member of the Auto Body Painting Association of Hawaii. He was also a member of the Hall of Eagles, the collision repair industry’s hall of fame, and showcased his industry expertise as a contributing writer for BodyShop Business.

He was regarded throughout the industry as a good friend and was easily recognizable by the Hawaiian shirts he always wore. Also, he was fond of saying “aloha” (hello) and “mahalo” (thank you) to people he met.

“This is a tragic loss to the Taylor family,” said Dan Risley, executive director of SCRS. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to them as they deal with a loss that is many years premature.

“SCRS didn’t lose a board member or a friend on Sunday, we lost one of our family. His physical presence may be lost but his legacy will live forever. There are not many March Taylors in the world, and his love for his family and the industry, and his kindhearted spirit and giving nature, are examples for all of us to live by.”

Good friend and industry colleague Toby Chess said Taylor touched every repairer in the country with his gracious nature.

“His shop was a clearing house for any database issues pertaining to repair processes that weren’t adequately timed by the information providers,” Chess said. “And the database people responded to him and changed things. It was a miniscule part but those little victories counted."

"He was an unsung hero and never wanted to take credit for anything,” Chess added. “He did things because he thought they were necessary.”

Taylor is survived by his wife, Patty, son, Tiger, and daughters Tiffany and Tracy Jo. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.