Gary L. Toebben
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Gary L. Toebben of Pasadena, California, passed away at the age of 74 on August 16, 2022, after a 2-year battle with bone and bladder cancer. He is survived by his wife, Janice; 4 children, Andrew Toebben (Julia), Seth Toebben, Devon Haase Kim (Tony), and Wyatt Haase (Ann); nine grandchildren, Jonah Kim, Emeth Toebben, Josie Kim, Matthias Toebben, Fyodor Toebben, Sawyer Haase, Becket Toebben, Teo Toebben, and Kai Toebben. He also leaves two sisters, Beverly Toebben, Sue Wolfe (Dan) and a brother-in-law, Mark Burquest (Wanda).
Gary was born to Kenneth and Loraine Toebben on March 4, 1948, in Fremont, Nebraska. He grew up on a farm in eastern Nebraska and attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School, graduated high school from Arlington High School in Arlington, Nebraska, received a B.S. in Mathematics at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1970, and an Honorary Doctor of Business from Pepperdine University in 2018.
Gary retired in 2018 from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, after a 43-year career as a chamber of commerce executive in four communities. He was recognized in those communities for his leadership in economic development, access to quality education, infrastructure investments and legislative reforms. In 2003, he was elected by his peers to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE).
He began his Chamber career in 1975 at the North Platte, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, served as President of the Lawrence, Kansas Chamber of Commerce from 1981 to 1999, served as President of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce from 1999 to 2006, and from 2006 until his retirement in 2018 served as the President of the LA Area Chamber of Commerce. Prior to entering the chamber of commerce profession, Gary was Director of Facilities Development for the Tourism Division of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and a math teacher in Lincoln.
Education and workforce development were a priority for Gary in each of the chambers of commerce he led. In Lawrence, Kansas, his biggest initiatives were: Founding Douglas Country Development Inc. (DCDI), the first public/private economic development partnership between the Chamber, the City of Lawrence, Douglas County and the University of Kansas, Promoting the construction of the South Lawrence Trafficway and leading the community ballot initiative that secured public support for the project, Initiating and promoting the “4 for 1” community ballot to pass a one cent sales tax to build a new community recreation center, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, a new county jail and a reduction in property taxes equal to the property tax increase necessary to fund the construction of a second high school, Leading the successful promotional campaign to build Free State High School, Rallying business and public support for the construction of the new terminal building at the Lawrence Municipal Airport, and Founding Leadership Lawrence with the support of Leadership Kansas alumni from Lawrence.
In Northern Kentucky, Gary started the Chamber’s Education and Workforce Development Department to support more funding for public education and to initiate a collaborative effort between business and schools to provide career education opportunities for students who did not wish to pursue a four-year college education. He helped to bring state funds for major projects at Northern Kentucky University and Gateway Community & Technical College.
At the Los Angeles Chamber, Gary championed the development of the largest and most comprehensive education and workforce development program of any chamber of commerce in the nation, with a staff of 30 and total budget of nearly $5 million. Gary was a leader in Transforming Mobility 21 from an LA County organization, founded in 2002, into a regional organization in 2008. He also served as chairman of the seven-county coalition. Gary and the LA Chamber were key leaders in two successful Los Angeles County transportation measures: Measure R in 2008 and Measure M in 2016. He created a national coalition of chambers of commerce in support of including America Fast Forward in the 2012 Federal Surface Transportation Bill and was a strong proponent of SB1 to generate $5 billion per year in new revenue for California transportation projects. During Gary’s tenure, the LA Chamber championed hundreds of projects to build the physical and human infrastructure of Los Angeles County. In the last two years alone, they led the charge on four local ballot initiatives to generate $150 billion in investments for transportation, services and housing for the homeless, and improved facilities for the nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District.
Gary was elected and appointed to dozens of state and local leadership positions in the four communities and four states in which he served.
He has been described as a true servant leader. He never saw obstacles; he only saw opportunities. Gary’s impact on his family, his colleagues, his communities and the businesses within them will be remembered long after his death.
A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life will be on Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 11AM at Plymouth Church, Lawrence, Kansas.
Check may be made out to the Memorials as directed below:
Visiting Nurses Association – Hospice Care in Lawrence, Kansas,
Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment, Lawrence, Kansas,
Gary Toebben Memorial Fund with the FarmHouse Foundation,
or Unite LA – Gary Toebben Scholarship Fund – UNITE-LA
Memorial contributions may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
To Gary’s family, we are sadden to learn of his passing. We knew Gary and family as members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Gary did great things for Lawrence and other communities. He will be missed by all that knew him. Our prayers with the family.
Met Gary when he came to Lawrence to direct the Chamber of Commerce. He was a good man with a good heart helped make Lawrence a better place.
So sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. I initially had the pleasure of working with Janice when she arrived in the Los Angeles headquarters of U.S.Bank. Had the added pleasure of knowing Gary with his professional and dynamic leadership of the L.A. Chamber. He was always an active, warm and energizing person in our community. My condolences to Janice and his family.
It is with a heavy heart that we send our sympathy and prayers to Janice and the Toebben family. Gary was a wonderful man with a true Midwest heart who genuinely cared about others and making a difference. I feel blessed that he was a part of my life and will forever be grateful for the opportunities and support he gave me. He has touched the lives of so many people and will be greatly missed.
All our condolences to Janice and family on the passing of Gary. He was truly one of the all-time most influential leaders of the Lawrence community, always looking to serve the common good. We’re sure he carried that through to those he served after moving on to other communities.
Harold and Linda Harmon
Jani and Family
Wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and your family. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless…
Harold and Linda Harmon
Amy and Sarah and Families
Dear Janice,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I understand Gary bravely fought his cancer. We hope to see you in Lawrence where we can offer our condolences in person. We will be out of town on the date of Gary’s services. Our family sends our kindness thoughts to you and your family.
Andy and Seth –
So sorry to hear of your dads passing away. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this time.
Susan (Oxandale) Turrentine
Mike Turrentine
David Oxandale
Janice and Family: So sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. He was always a consummate professional with an uncanny ability to lead staff and membership and community in general. Rest in peace, Gary.
Martin and Kay Owens
Janice: My wife and I were most saddened to learn of Gary’s passing and we extend our sincere sympathy to you and your family. As you know Gary was highly regarded in the Chamber world. He and I worked together when we were both serving Chambers in Kansas (I was at Wichita). Fortunately, we were able to reconnect recently in raising Scholarship funds for ACCE., It was a joy to work with him again. With kindest regards, Dick and Moira Upton
I always admired Gary at Leadership LA or LA Chamber functions, but I got to enjoy his adventurous and fun side during fabulous LA Chamber trips like China in 2010 and India in 2012. Thank you to Gary, and to his loving family, for your amazing contributions to civic society and cultural exchange. All my condolences on the loss of your beloved Gary, a great man for all times.
I’m forever grateful for Gary’s leadership, mentorship, and friendship, and I have cherished each conversation with him. Janice – I’m so grateful for our connection, and I’m thinking of you and your beautiful family daily. I’m sending so much love to your entire family.
Deepest sympathies for Janice and all of Gary’s family. I won the lottery when Gary was “assigned” as my mentor at my very first ACCE annual conference. Gary was an incredible role model of professionalism, commitment, loyalty and continued knowledge in our industry. His obvious love for Janice, and is home and work family, was always on display. Continued prayers of strength and peace in the days and months ahead.
To Gary’s Family: I am so sad to hear about Gary’s passing. I knew him through his incredible work with the LA Chamber of Commerce. What was notable about Gary was his human touch. Although a major CEO and civic leader, he never lost his ability to make everyone feel special. He responded to every email and call and treated everyone with respect and interest in what was being said — no matter who the person was or what role they played. This set him apart from so many others along with that wonderful smile that was always visible. Gary’s work at the Chamber made LA a better place in so many ways. Sending you all my prayers.
Janice,
My thoughts and prayers surround you and your entire family during this very difficult time. Gary was an amazing man and did so much for Lawrence, the Chamber, and the community. May the memories that you shared together fill your heart with comfort and joy.
My deepest sympathies to all Gary’s family. Gary was an incredible leader. My time working for him at the L.A. Chamber has been one of the highlights of my career. The level of concern and care he gave to all of us made the chamber a special place to work. He exuded warmth and caring and a willingness to take hard stances if it was the right thing to do.
When I think of Gary I think of someone who knew success meant finding a way to bring everyone along with you. I hope you are comforted by knowing the impact Gary had on so many of our lives.
We never knew Gary except through Jani’s Facebook postings. He was certainly a respected yet fun individual. Wish we could have known him personally. Perhaps through Jani’s conversation we’ll learn even more about this terrific man.
Dear Janice,
Melanie and I are saddened to hear about Gary’s passing, but are happy to know that he was able to extend his life and make it back to Kansas. We both enjoyed learning more about Gary and his very successful career through reading his obituary.
We know that these are very difficult times for you and the family, but are hopeful that as each day marches forward the pain eventually subsides and that family, friends and activities fill each of your days.
Melanie and I will now be travelling to McPherson, Kansas on a somewhat regular basis and hope to visit with you at some time in the future. If you are ever in Los Angeles, we would love to see you. Our thoughts are with you.
Love,
Melanie & Richard Lundquist