SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — Mervin “Merv” Rumpel, who founded Pleasure-Way Industries and helped establish Saskatoon as a centre of premium Class B motorhome manufacturing, passed away on Oct. 21, 2026, at the age of 93, surrounded by his loved ones.
Through a career spanning more than five decades, Rumpel built a respected Canadian RV company from a dealership back shop and made craftsmanship, customer service and family leadership hallmarks of the business.
Rumpel entered the RV industry in 1968, when he founded Glenwood Trailer Sales, later known as Glenwood RV Centre. His experience as a dealer gave him a close understanding of customers’ needs and reinforced his belief that manufacturers should stand behind the products they build.
After 18 years in RV retailing, Rumpel turned his attention to manufacturing. In 1986, he and his team built the first 10 Pleasure-Way motorhomes in the dealership’s back shop. That small-scale beginning grew into a Canadian manufacturer whose Class B coaches were sold across Canada and the United States, and, for a time, in Japan.
Rumpel’s dealership experience and relationships throughout the RV industry helped Pleasure-Way develop its early sales network. Through personal connections, word of mouth and a commitment to quality, he expanded the company from its Saskatchewan roots into a recognized North American brand.
At the heart of the business was his belief in careful workmanship and putting customers first. Those principles shaped Pleasure-Way’s approach to manufacturing, with handcrafted interiors and components custom-fitted to each motorhome. As the company grew, that attention to detail remained central to its identity.
The business was also a family undertaking. His sons Terry and Dean worked alongside their father to help build Glenwood RV Centre and Pleasure-Way Industries. Dean succeeded Merv as Pleasure-Way’s president in 2004 and continues to lead the company as CEO, carrying forward the principles his father established.
Even after retirement, Merv maintained a connection to the company and the industry he enjoyed. He retained an office at the Pleasure-Way plant and continued visiting, sharing coffee and conversations about the business.
In 2024, he joined the Pleasure-Way team to celebrate the company’s 20,000th motorhome — a milestone far removed from its modest beginnings in the dealership back shop.
“I still remember the day that I built the first one,” he said at the time.
Merv’s passing comes as Pleasure-Way celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. Four decades after he and his team built their first motorhomes, his commitment to craftsmanship, customer service and family leadership continues to guide the company.
His legacy lives on through the people who build Pleasure-Way motorhomes, the dealers who represent them and the owners who travel in them—a lasting expression of his belief in building a quality product and standing behind it.
