Community remembers Leonard Von Dohlen III for his passion for city, family
* BY LOURDES VAZQUEZ - LVAZQUEZ@VICAD.COM * Originally published December 22, 2009 at 9:39 p.m., updated December 22, 2009 at 11:15 p.m.
GOLIAD - Rancher, community leader and family man, Leonard H. Von Dohlen III lived a passionate life. He was passionate for his hometown and the desire to see it grow, and for his family. He died Monday at age 75 after a long illness. Even weeks before his death, he insisted his daughter, Mary Gay Von Dohlen, take him to his last commissioners court meeting. He was there with his walker and oxygen tank in hand. "You couldn't keep him away," his daughter said. The Goliad community has always been a priority for Von Dohlen. "He's a hometown boy and wanted to have things better for Goliad," said Gay Von Dohlen, his wife. Von Dohlen was a well known member of the community, active in more than 12 organizations. He took on a leadership role at a young age, said Jayne Hoff, administrative assistant for the Goliad County Sheriff's Office and former Goliad city administrator. "He was president of the first junior Goliad Chamber of Commerce," Hoff said. The two worked side by side for 25 years on various projects for economic development in Goliad. "He was very energetic when it came to economic development, always looking for ways to attract new businesses to the area," Hoff said. Current city administrator, CJ Snipes, began working alongside Von Dohlen in April 2008. "His service for the city has been unmatched," Snipes said. The city administrator said he has learned a lot from Von Dohlen through his passion to see economic growth in Goliad and working on projects together. "He's the kind of person that you want to work with when you're doing this kind of job," Snipes said. Von Dohlen also founded Von Dohlen Motor Company in Goliad in 1964, said Roberta Llanes, 62, office manager who worked for the company for 41 years. "He was a very good person to work for, and I learned a lot from him," Llanes said. His dedication was seen even as his illness progressed. "Even when he was sick, he'd still come in for a couple hours," said Llanes, who also remembers Von Dohlen as a family man. "As a child I kind of saw him as a saintly knight," said Leonard Von Dohlen IV, his son. His sister added that their father's noble character surpassed his family and businesses. "If he could help you in anyway, he was just the go-to guy," she said. Von Dohlen's first son remembers bringing his friends to visit Goliad and the passion his father demonstrated while giving them a tour. "He gave the tour with such relish, he so loved this town," his son said. Von Dohlen was also the track manager for the LaBahia Downs horse track for 25 years, which his family said was the largest tourist attraction ever for the city. He also served on state racing boards. Llanes remembered working with him at the track as well, doing licensing and collecting entry fees. His contributions to the Goliad community will not go unnoticed. The Goliad Rotary Club established the Leonard Von Dohlen Memorial scholarship. Buddy Young, former president of the Goliad Rotary Club, said the scholarship had been in the works for three years and will continue through the Von Dohlen family. He was a big proponent of education, Young said. Von Dohlen was a student advocate, organizing the Rotary club's Hunters' Ball to raise money for scholarships. He also served on they Goliad School board for nine years.