Forest River Inc. announced the passing of its founder, Peter J. Liegl. 

Liegl is best known as the founder of Forest River Inc., and the man who in 2005 sold Forest River to famed investor Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 

Building Forest River

Liegl’s legendary role in building the RV industry into a multibillion-dollar enterprise began from humble beginnings. Sales and management positions brought him valuable experience in production, operations, and customer service. 

He worked his way to the role of president at Midas Motorhomes and then on to Shasta, a Coachmen-owned company, before deciding to venture out on his own when he co-founded Cobra Industries. 

Cobra Industries went public and Pete was “fired.” This led him to build his first RV by hand in a barn. Driven to succeed, Liegl brought his first units to Louisville and sold them outside under a lamp post — which was the beginning of “Where the forest meets the river.”

Expanding into Bus and Other Verticals

In 1996, Liegl established Forest River Inc. in Elkhart, Ind., with the vision of bringing the power of nature to as many Americans as possible. His goal was to create a company that could meet a wide range of consumer needs. 

Forest River grew rapidly under his leadership, expanding its product range to include not only RVs but also buses, cargo trailers, and marine products. He believed in providing the best product at the best price. 

His management philosophy emphasized empowering employees, fostering a culture of accountability, and always focusing on the needs of the consumer. 

“We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” he said recently. “But we’re very serious about what we do.”

Continuing to Evolve the Company

In 2024, despite announcing a succession plan for the company, Liegl remained at the helm of what he called “the quiet company,” working every day — including Saturdays and Sundays — while presiding over a slate of internal innovations and investments that will provide the foundation for growth and excellence for years to come.

Liegl was very proud of his roots in Elkhart, and privately made generous philanthropic contributions, supporting causes in education, healthcare, conservation and local communities.