In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
Robert “Bobby” William Klyce, a longtime Avis licensee and respected leader in the car rental industry, died July 30, 2026. He was 80.
Klyce served as president of Avis Birmingham and president and CEO of Car and Truck Rentals Inc., his franchise name. His career continued a family connection to car rental that began more than a century ago.
The Klyce family entered the business in 1918, renting cars in Birmingham as the Motor Livery Co. In the 1930s, Klyce’s grandfather acquired the Hertz name for Alabama. The family operated under the Hertz brand until Klyce’s father sold the business back to Hertz in 1970 and purchased an Avis franchise.
After graduating from the University of Alabama in 1968, Klyce returned to Birmingham and joined his father at the family’s Avis locations. He went on to help build the Avis brand locally and nationally while becoming a prominent representative of the company’s licensee community.
“There are three things Bobby loved most — his beautiful bride Barbara, the Alabama Crimson Tide, and having a good time. We will miss him,” said Mike Schmidt, Avis Budget Group's former senior vice president of fleet services.
A Career in Service to Car Rental
Klyce chaired the Avis Licensee Association and the Avis Advertising and Policy Committee. He was also a member of the Avis System Advertising Trust and served on the board of the American Car Rental Association.
In 2018, Auto Rental News presented Klyce with its annual Impact Award at the International Car Rental Show in recognition of his longtime service and dedication to the car rental industry.
Introducing Klyce at the ceremony, Robert Muhs, then vice president of government affairs for Avis Budget Group, described him as a dedicated representative of both independent operators and the industry.
“Bobby is a fierce advocate for the licensees and a fierce advocate for the industry,” Muhs said.
Sharon Faulkner of ACRA also recognized Klyce as a trusted source of guidance and support.
“Personally, Bobby Klyce has been a great resource for me,” Faulkner said during the presentation. “He listens, he gives great advice, and he has supported my work with ACRA for many years.”
Klyce had been involved with the Avis Licensee Association for over 40 years at the time of the award and had served on the Avis Advertising and Policy Committee for 20 years.
“To be honored by my peers, I’m humbled,” Klyce said while accepting the award. “I have to thank everyone I’ve worked with, from Avis Budget corporate to all the licensees.”
Klyce was also an avid supporter of the University of Alabama. Through his business, he helped make Avis the official rental car of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
"Bobby was an irrepressible bundle of energy who brought a lot of character and personality with him everywhere he went," said Sharky Laguana, CEO of Bandago and president of ACRA. "He knew how to tell a joke as well as anyone I've ever met, and I'm not sure there's a better measure of a man than that."
Klyce’s History Outside of Car Rental
Born Oct. 29, 1945, in Birmingham, Klyce graduated from John Carroll High School in 1963. At the University of Alabama, he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
He served with the 117th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron of the Alabama Air National Guard and was a member of the Shades Valley Rotary Club, the Country Club of Birmingham and the Saint Andrew’s Society of the Middle South. He was also a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent.
His obituary remembered him as “the happiest, kindest, most generous man,” always willing to help others. His gregarious personality and sense of humor will also be missed by his family, friends and colleagues.
Klyce is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Cassels Klyce; his brother, Peter Reece Klyce and his wife, Susan; brothers-in-law Robert Cobb and William Henry Cassels and his wife, Rebecca; and sister-in-law Mary Kay Klyce.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Peter Klyce Jr. and Eleanor Grace McGeever Klyce; sisters Mary Klyce Cobb and Carolyn Klyce Robinson; and brothers John Martin Klyce and Michael Joseph Klyce.
A memorial service was held Aug. 5 at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rector’s Garden at the Cathedral Church of the Advent or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
