Lansing foster parent and volunteer wins Ryder Driver of the Year 

MONDAY, May 24 — Howard Davenport knew he was in the running for Ryder Driver of the Year 2020. But when his superiors called him into the back office to announce a winner, Davenport didn’t think ever for a second that he would get the award. 

“I could not believe I was going to win it,” said Davenport. “Then, the Zoom ceremony started, and they told me I won. I’ll tell you, it was so overwhelming. I started crying right there.” 

Fresh out of Lansing Community College’s truck driving school in 1994, Davenport was eager to hit the road. His wife, Suzi Smith, happily paid for his tuition. It just made sense for Davenport. He had been dreaming about life on the road ever since watching the TV show, B.J. and the Bear — a ’70s children’s comedy program about a truck driver and his trusty monkey sidekick. 

“Isn’t that ridiculous?” laughed Davenport. “But I loved it. The thought of being a truck driver, driving across the country, having a little monkey with you. It’s stupid, but that really was my inspiration.” 

Davenport took his first trucking job with Ryder. Except for a seven-year stint at another company from 2011-2018, Davenport has stayed faithful to Ryder. 

“They hired me right out of school, and that’s not something Ryder typically does,” said Davenport. “But there was a job that nobody wanted, so I took it. I knew nothing. But you only start learning when you get experience on the road.” 

After over 25 years on the road, Davenport knows what he’s doing. Truck driving relaxes him. When he’s on the road, his only focus is his work. Life’s worries and stresses fly right out the driver’s side window.  

“I don’t know if that sounds odd, but I love what I do,” explained Davenport. “I’ve loved it ever since I got that license. Even when I was bad at it!” 

At that, he let out a hearty belly laugh. 

Davenport doesn’t drive across the country anymore, and that’s the way he likes it. He gets to come home at five every day, cook for his wife and spend time with the children that they foster together through Bethany Christian Services.  

His latest culinary creation was a gourmet, bacon-stuffed grilled cheese sandwich.  

“The kids liked that!” he proudly proclaimed.  

Interestingly, Davenport claimed that cooking is more stressful than driving a truck. When he’s cooking, he doesn’t like having people around. He would prefer to kick everyone out of the kitchen. But with children running around the house, getting a moment of peace is nearly impossible.  

“My kitchen’s not that big. So, the kids are coming in and peeking when I’m just trying to cook a meal,” said Davenport. “It’s stressful!” 

Davenport believes that he won Driver of the Year because of what he does both on and off the clock. His experience growing up in the church taught him to strictly adhere to The Golden Rule. Throughout his life, Davenport has done his darndest to offer his help to those in need.  

“A lot of truck drivers can… drive me under the truck, you know?” he said. What set him apart from the competition was his undying commitment to helping others. 

At the end of the work day, before he leaves, Davenport makes sure to check in with all his colleagues.  

“I just say, ‘Is everything all right? Do you need me to stay longer?’” said Davenport. “Usually, they just ask me to hang out for a little bit. I do it because I’m just that type of driver.” 

The activities that Davenport participates in off the clock — like fostering and working with the nonprofit organization Men Making a Difference — caught the attention of Ryder.  

“They really liked the story about Toby,” said Davenport. Toby is a foster child that Davenport fell in love with. They bonded as he helped the medically-fragile child gain some weight and learn to walk. 

“I still get emotional when I talk about Toby,” said Davenport. “We had a special bond. When I would change his diaper, I used to flip him around like a rag doll. He would laugh and laugh and giggle.” 

He can’t point to a single reason he was picked as Driver of the Year. It was a combination of his work ethic, positive attitude and willingness to lend a helping hand.  

“Taking care of the unfortunate, doing unto others… That stuff is ingrained in me,” said Davenport. “I’m just doing what I’ve always been taught to do. That’s all.”