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 On January 29, 2000 at the Michigan
State Auctioneers Association’s annual meeting, Brent Belcher was inducted into the
Auctioneer’s Hall of Fame. Mr. Belcher’s family including his three
grandchildren were on hand for the surprise presentation. (He had been told that this
father would be receiving a special award) Mr. Ed Belcher, Brent’s father and also a
member of the Auctioneer Hall of Fame, was on hand to present the special award to his
son.
Brent is a third generation auctioneer. He started clerking and setting
up auctions for his father, Ed Belcher while attending college. He called his first sale
at the age of 20 and has been a full time auctioneer ever since. The late Harold Belcher
established Belcher-Dingman-Spaulding Auctioneers in 1919. Prior to WWII, Ed Belcher
joined his father in the auction business. Then in the early 1960’s, Brent joined his
father, making it a three-generation business. A fourth generation was added when
Brent’s son, Kevin, joined up in 1980. Brent is a member of the Indiana Auctioneers
Association and the National Auctioneers Association as well as being a past President of
the Michigan State Auctioneers Association.
In a letter to the selaection board, his son, Kevin Belcher wrote:
"To my knowledge, my father has never refused to donate his time and talents to any
church or charitable organization that has asked for his help in putting on an auction. He
has sold countless Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever sales throughout the state. Dad
has sold at 30 of the past 34 Calhoun County 4-H livestock auctions which have set 3 world
records. He has also helped at the Eaton County 4-H livestock sale for the past few years.
He donates not only his expertise but also his time and energy helping 4-H members.
Brent helped organize and has served on the steering committee as well
as selling the annual Oaklawn Hospital Benefit auctions since their inception. Much of the
new equipment in our local hospital is bought with the money generated by this annual
event.
Kevin states further, "Besides being an excellent auctioneer, my father is very
civic minded. He has served on the Marshall Area Economic Development Council, Calhoun
County Fair Advisory Committee, Michigan National Bank Board of Directors, member and past
president of the marshall Lion’s club, donates equipment for the ACS Relay for Life
and works on and participates in the Star Commonwealth for Boys fund-raiser selling their
annual auction at the conclusion of the event. He is also an active member of the United
Methodist Church in Marshall. The family and his auction staff are very proud of him
because he is known for his "uncommon" common sense and most of all, his
integrity is above reproach."
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