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Local Alumni Business Spotlight ~ The Euclid Beach Rocket Car

Original Release: 6/26/2023

A lifetime resident of South Euclid/Lyndhurst, Ron Heitman took a dream and did what he likes best, turned it into a car!! When he discovered the old Euclid Beach Rocket Ships, unused and lost from their glory days at the amusement park in Cleveland, he decided to bring them back to life. He remarked that he had built the largest convertible on the streets of Cleveland for his family of six!

After a few years, his father-in-law asked if he could rent it for a company picnic. What a blast they are! Soon the Rocket was seen throughout the Cleveland area and for many years has been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York. The calls for reservations were so overwhelming that he built a second Rocket Car.

The Rocket Car is 28 feet long, nose to tail, and covered entirely with polished stainless steel panels. Along with the driver, it will seat 10 adults or 15 kids very comfortably. All of the seats are upholstered in heavy red naugahyde with seatbelts and automatic lock bars. Over the years, it grew in to a family business. Leanne (his wife), Jen (his daughter), and Matt (his son) first became involved, as drivers.

They have since been joined by Jen's son, Cooper and her husband, Zol Laszlo. The connections to our district are many. Leanne currently works as the transportation supervisor. Jen, a 2004 graduate is currently the principal's secretary at Memorial Junior High School. Jen's husband Zol is the unit custodian at Memorial. Matt is a 2007 Brush graduate. Jen's children have also attended district schools.

Sadly, Ron passed away in 2020. Jen and Matt have taken over management of the business. Jen provides guidance, all the bookings and has been a full-time rocket driver since she was 16 years old. Matt keeps the rockets safely on the road, doing all the maintenance on the vehicles. Together, they are both determined to keep their father's memory alive, “The original Rocket Man”. Jen and Matt still live in the district. Matt has expanded his own business in welding & fabricating.

When you see the Rocket Cars on the road you can't help but beep the horn and wave. Jen said, with a tear in eye, that she absolutely loves it. Those beeps are for her Daddycakes and that's how the family knows that he is still here with them.

You can rent the Euclid Beach Rocket Car for any of your upcoming events by calling (216) 382-1616 ☎.