Black Book co-founder and former president Eugene McDonald died Monday, the National Auto Auction Association said in a message to members Wednesday.

McDonald sold Black Book to Cox in 1965, served on that company’s board of directors and helped Cox move into the auto auction market, as it purchased its first auction (now known as Manheim Pennsylvania) in 1968, NAAA said.

He also played a part in the 1980 sale of Black Book to Hearst, which is the company’s current owner, the association said.

McDonald became a member of the NAAA Hall of Fame in 1985 and earned the NIADA Ring of Honor nine years later.

“(The) National Auto Auction Association extends its deepest sympathy to the McDonald family and friends,” NAAA said in the message.