This is pretty heavy news right here to wake up to this morning. Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren, has passed away after being on this earth for 90 years. This news comes just one week after the launch of his memoir, “Authentic“. We have him to thank, for this awesome brand that has given us an identity, and a true sense of community. Always reminding us to be authentic, and do things our own way, while remembering to make it about the people. We will never lose sight of that. Vans has created more opportunity for us, than anything else, and we ultimately have Paul Van Doren to thank for that. We’ll always honor you, and your name lives on through your family, and through the extended Wafflehead family. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Thank you, Paul.
My father, William Nelson, was one of the first employees at Van’s and most of his six kids (including me) worked there in the Anaheim and Santa Ana warehouse. Paul took me, Steve and I can’t remember who else to my first horse race in Del Mar. Spent a couple nights there way back in the day. I always respected him. Rest in peace Paul.
Thank you for being you, an inspiration to all. My condolences to your family, and friends.
Shock is not the word stuned is more like it the man was a genius on so many levels of inventions of shoes that are known world wide and will be known by so many people Thank you Paul van doren for the millions of Vans that walked the earth R.I.P