PAUL VAN DOREN (1930 - 2021)

It's with a heavy heart that Vans announces the passing of our co-founder, Paul Van Doren.

Paul founded the Van Doren Rubber Company with his brother Jim, and their partners Gordon Lee & Serge Delia in Anaheim, CA in 1966. Paul was not just an entrepreneur; he was an innovator. The Van Doren Rubber Company was the culmination of a lifetime of experimentation and hard work in the shoe industry.

Paul’s bold experiments in product design, distribution and marketing, along with his knack for numbers and efficiency turned a family shoe business into a globally recognized brand.

We send our love and strength to the Van Doren family and all the Vans Family members who brought Paul’s legacy to life.