Sid & Karen DeBoer Southern Oregon University (SOU) Scholarship

Some Grizzlies never forget where they came from! Sid (Class of '61) and Karen Wood (Class of '63) DeBoer both grew up in Ashland, graduated from Ashland High, built a successful business, and raised their families in the community they call home.

Now, they are giving back in a wonderful way with a generous $52,000 gift to establish a multi-year scholarship program for Ashland High graduates attending Southern Oregon University (SOU).  

The Sid & Karen DeBoer Scholarship Fund is a stand-alone program supporting AHS graduates continuing their education at Southern Oregon University (SOU). The Ashland High Alumni Association is honored to oversee the selection and distribution of the DeBoer scholarships. This fund will remain separate from the Association’s existing AHS Alumni All-Class Scholarship Fund, which supports AHS graduates pursuing higher education at colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions of their choice.

From a New Beginning to a Worldwide Legacy Sid DeBoer and Lithia Motors

For Sidney “Sid” DeBoer, the story of Lithia Motors is one of rebuilding after loss. It began in 1968 with his father’s death, the closing of the family business, and a decision to start again. Nearly six decades later, that new beginning has grown into a worldwide enterprise—and its success is helping Sid and his wife, Karen, create opportunities for another generation through scholarships. Sid’s father, Walt DeBoer, had established the original Lithia dealership in Ashland in 1946. When Walt was killed after being struck by a car in 1968, Sid faced more than the loss of his father. He was left without a franchise or a viable path to continue the business in Ashland, and had to close it.

At 25, Sid made a fresh start by buying the Dodge dealership in Medford, Oregon, and establishing a new corporation. He retained the Lithia name, but the business was a new undertaking. That distinction is why Sid identifies himself as the founder of Lithia Motors: his father’s company had ended, and Sid founded the company that would eventually become a global automotive retailer.

Dick Heimann played an important part in that new beginning. While working for Chrysler, he helped Sid secure a Dodge franchise for the dealership Sid purchased in Medford. Dick subsequently joined the new company and became a longtime business partner and chief operating officer. He worked alongside Sid until late in his life, contributing to Lithia’s growth over decades.

A defining moment came in December 1996, when Sid took Lithia Motors public on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LAD. The company had grown to five locations and 19 franchises. Becoming a public company opened access to capital that helped Lithia acquire dealerships and expand into new markets.

Sid led the business through changing markets, industry upheaval, and the financial crisis, building the foundation for the much larger organization that would follow. By 2012, Lithia’s annual revenue had reached approximately $3.3 billion.

That year marked another important milestone: Sid’s son, Bryan DeBoer, became chief executive officer. Sid continued as chairman, providing continuity and experience while Bryan and his leadership team guided the next stage of growth.

Under Bryan’s leadership, Lithia accelerated its acquisitions, expanded internationally, and developed new ways for customers to buy, sell, and finance vehicles. Today, Lithia & Driveway is the world’s largest automotive retailer, with more than 450 locations across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Its 2025 revenue totaled approximately $37.6 billion—more than eleven times its revenue in the year Bryan became CEO.

As Sid steps down as chairman, he continues as vice chairman, helping the team and the board understand the car business and navigate the issues that continually arise. He also provides Bryan with firsthand advice when asked, drawing on decades of experience building and guiding the company.

The DeBoers’ connection to Southern Oregon remains close. Sid and Karen created the Sid and Karen YMCA youth camp at Lake of the Woods, Oregon, and have supported new lifts at Mount Ashland, including the replacement of a key lift expected this year. Their giving also supports education, the arts, and community needs throughout the region.

Their scholarship giving carries that commitment into the lives of young people preparing for their own next steps. For students, a scholarship can make further education possible and ease its financial burden. Through these efforts, Sid and Karen are helping another generation find opportunities of its own, bringing the Lithia story back to the community where its name began.