Mechanic's generosity leads to national acclaim

Midas technician Brian Simpson was doused with silly string on Thursday by his co-workers after receiving the Midas International/Ase Automobile Technician of the Year award.

Brian Simpson is a hard worker and a skilled mechanic, his boss says, but it's his big heart that put him over the top to earn the title of Midas International/ASE Automobile Technician of the Year.

On Thursday, his co-workers and his wife, Leigh, surprised the 28-year-old with the announcement at lunchtime at the Midas at 8104 N. Academy Blvd., where he has worked for five years. Also present were Rebecca Schroeder and her 8-year-old daughter, Danielle.

Earlier this year, Schroeder was taking Danielle several times a week from their Monument home to Children's Hospital in Denver for treatment of Danielle's pancreatic cancer. One week in May, they needed to make the trip seven times. Schroeder's Toyota Sienna minivan started to have problems.

She took it to Midas and, after hearing her story, Simpson called around and got suppliers to provide the parts for free, then offered to donate his labor. When Schroeder picked up the van, he handed her the keys and told her there would be no charge for about $1,200 worth of work.

"It absolutely blew us away," Schroeder said. "To have Brian do that, I don't think I can even explain how much it meant to us."

Ron Genuario, owner of the North Academy Midas and 10 others in the region, said Simpson's going the extra mile earned him the award, which goes to just one technician from Midas' 1,800 stores in the United States and Canada.

"That's the kind of guy he is," Genuario said. "He wasn't looking for any notoriety. He's just a good guy."

For his part, Simpson said he simply wanted to give Schroeder a hand.

"I just felt obligated to do something to help them out," he said.

Along with the honor, Simpson and his wife will get a paid trip in November to San Diego, Calif., for the Automotive Service Excellence national convention and an awards ceremony.

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