After years of a successful career working for different companies in sales, marketing and advertising, Patricia decided to apply for an international job. “I always wanted to work abroad, but I didn’t want to wait too long.” She was then hired as a General Manager by an RV rental company and relocated to Chicago in March 2002. After being there for a couple of years they had the chance to apply for US citizenship, which allowed Thomas to follow her to Chicago. They sold their home in Switzerland and moved to Illinois. Thomas found himself a job as car mechanic foreman for GM. Since Patricia’s job wasn’t the greatest, they reached a point in life to ask themselves, where do we go from here? “We wanted to run our own company and to work in traveling or camping,” says Patricia. In 2005, they purchased the South Bend KOA and have since invested much of their lives into their business. “We are one big family,” said Patricia.
According to Thomas and Patricia, the South Bend/Elkhart KOA proves customer service is friendly, and everyone attempts to ensure a pleasant stay. “Every customer is unique and should be treated like that,” added Patricia. Not only are the customers unique, the campground itself is a beautiful natural setting with tall pine trees and the close proximity of many restaurants and stores in walking distance and accommodations are what a camper would expect upon arrival. “Our beautiful cabin village, our gorgeous tall pine trees, the remodeled store and the newly opened Vintage Ice Cream Parlor bring us the most pride” said Patricia.
True to their business, Thomas and Patricia love to camp and travel. “We have traveled more than 100,000 miles along the USA and have restored a 1973 GMC motor home to use it as often as possible,” said Thomas.
Since they have a big heart for vintage stuff and classic stories you will find a restored Ford 2N Tractor, built 1942, which is pulling their hay wagon on the weekends. Her name is Betty.
Also they pull an antique Chevy Corvair behind their GMC Motorhome. And watch out for the classic Cushman golf cart. There are vintage signs all over and yes, the music what they play in the store is definitively 60s and 70s.
This were the good ole times!
