Dick Vlist is something of a Port Orchard original. The Navy veteran is of vintage stock, for sure, but all of his cylinders seem to be firing and his ride is steady.

Which is apropos, since the engaging Vlist is the founder of his namesake pre-owned auto dealership, Dick Vlist Motors, which has been running continuously since 1972.

That’s not to say his chassis hasn’t suffered a rattle or two along the way: “I’ve been rebuilt and repaired so many times I can’t count.”

Still active at 90, his family managed a few weeks ago to corral him for a surprise milestone birthday party that was attended by 90 friends and family.

Vlist’s three sons, Van, Vic and Vaughn, now run the business, but that doesn’t keep their dad from dropping into his back office at the dealership, which is a comfortable clutter of memorabilia, photos and awards.

When he could be relaxing in a lounge chair or dipping his toes into a warm pool, why does Vlist still head out to the dealership nearly every day? In typical Dick Vlist fashion, he said with a sly grin, “I come in and raise hell.” But more likely, it’s his love of people and devotion to the Port Orchard community that keeps him returning.

“I’ve always been concerned about our customers and whether we’re doing a good job for them,” Vlist said. “But the boys are treating them well. We don’t pass them around to other people and waste their time.”

Customer satisfaction, he said, is what’s made owning the business over the years so rewarding.

Vlist said he learned the automotive sales business from a number of influential mentors, including Ed Dunn at Kerr Motors in Bremerton, where he started as a lot boy in 1942.

He served his apprenticeship as a mechanic there after serving in the Pacific Eastern Theater during World War II.

After a stint in the Korean War, Vlist returned to Bremerton in 1954 and rejoined Kerr Ford, where he worked his way up the chain of responsibility as a journeyman mechanic, service manager, salesman, sales manager and, eventually, became a full business partner.

In 1972, primed to operate his own car dealership, Vlist turned to Al Buchman, another car man with a “good reputation,” and purchased his business in Port Orchard.

With a young family to support at the time, he acknowledged those early years were difficult.

“We struggled,” Vlist said. “Success didn’t come overnight.”

But as his business mentors reminded, operating a reputable dealership and providing customers with good service inevitably would lead to success.

“I wasn’t interested in just selling a car,” Vlist said. “I was interested in doing something for the community while also making a sale.”

The competition in the auto business in South Kitsap has changed since 1972. Vlist said competition back then was between Ford and Chevrolet.

“You can buy a Chrysler product, a Nissan, Hyundai or any number of brands at just one center,” Vlist said.

Today, auto dealerships have proliferated, especially in Bremerton and Silverdale.

Vlist and his sons said they prefer having a small dealership so they can provide better service to their customers. Potential buyers deal with just one person, Vlist said, and aren’t shuffled to a sales manager and an F&I (finance and insurance) staff member.

“Really and truly, it’s been an advantage for us to be small because I can deal with a customer one-on-one.”

There was a time, however, when he was tempted to expand and buy the Ford dealership here, but “I just didn’t have the money to do it.”

Since then, Vlist and his sons have focused on its role as the entryway business into Port Orchard.

It’s a tidy operation on Bay Street, with not a gaudy sign or junky cars in sight.

“We try to keep things neat and we only deal with quality on the lot.

“I owe the community something and I appreciate what the community has made available to my sons and our business.

“We can’t walk on water, but we’ve never had to walk on the other side of the sidewalk from our business because of what we sell.”

Customer preferences also have changed over the years. The big sellers on lots today are SUVs, vans and trucks. Two-door cars are out, Vlist said, and don’t expect a big selection of vehicles equipped with manual transmission.

“Maybe one customer in 25 will ask for one — and it’s usually in a muscle car,” he added.

These days, Vlist Motors sells an average of 400 cars each year on the retail market. Vlist’s son Vic is in charge of making wholesale transactions with other area auto dealerships.

He said customers have appreciated his formula for success: no high-pressure tactics, quality vehicles at a fair price and not selling them something they don’t need.

“The best advertising you can get in this business is to have a satisfied customer walk out the door,” Vlist said.

When he’s not at the auto dealership, Vlist usually is busy with volunteer activities.

He’s a longtime supporter of the Navy League and is a past president of the Bremerton branch.

The organization recognized him with one of its highest awards, the Merit Public Service Award, from the Secretary of the Navy in 1991.

He also volunteers for the Bremerton Naval Museum and is vice president of the museum’s foundation.