BajaNomad - Passing of a long time Baja Traveler

Passing of a long time Baja Traveler

LancairDriver - 2-10-2013 at 01:22 PM

Many of you have known Larry Hahn. RIP Larry.

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Our beloved Larry O. Hahn, 79, entered into eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on the morning of February 8, 2012.Larry lived a wonderful life. He carried with him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for so many years. Larry was a "Big Man" both figuratively and literally, and provided the heart and soul of his family. He was born in El Centro, California to Rue and Ruth Hahn, and worked as a young man in the ranching business and the agricultural chemical industry. Larry would tell you that his life really began when he relocated to El Paso to establish this city's first Taco Bell. Shrugging off his family and friends pleas to remain in the El Centro Valley, Larry quickly became a visionary and innovator in the restaurant business for over 40 years. Larry and his wife Val, are credited with putting Mexican fast food on El Paso's menu of choices. Their involvement in the development of the fast food culture in El Paso is legendary. Larry and Val's humble beginnings blossomed into one of the city's largest fast food chains. Thereafter, Larry established the K'Bobs Steakhouses (now known as Rancher's Grill) in El Paso and parts of Southern New Mexico, offering its patrons an original menu of comfort food. Always a family man with strong Christian values, Larry transformed his life into a myriad of philanthropic and social commitments that would define his character. He was a hopeless romantic for the Mexican culture, and made countless journeys into Mexico in order to take advantage of his love of fishing while lending his support to struggling villagers. During the middle part of his life, he was a part-time fixture at fishing villages and towns in Lake Novillo, Mulege and Cabo San Lucas. He was also a first rate pilot with an impeccable reputation for safety and knowledge of Baja Mexico. Larry was infamous for his Baja Dreams Website which was created to promote the region that had brought him so much pleasure throughout his lifetime. Larry's love of travel took him on adventures that filled his diary with compelling episodes of fun and friendship. He was more comfortable driving his motor home than any four-wheeled vehicle. Always an excuse to travel with friends, Larry and co-pilot Val, rambled across the vast expanses of the United States in search of unique locations that surely enhanced their storytelling. Known for his contagious laugh and his megawatt smile, Larry was a natural when it came to meeting people. With camera in hand, he could turn a gathering into a photo shoot that would be emailed to his many friends before evenings end. Everyone was called "weirdo" until he learned your name, and once you were dubbed a "weirdo", you became a lifetime friend. Being a friend of Larry's was nothing short of an honor. Larry approached life and death with courage. He realized how blessed he was to experience a lifetime full of challenges and privileges. He awoke each day with boundless energy that was transformed into meaningful relationships with family and friends. We honor him for his commitment to his faith as an active member of Coronado Baptist Church, and to those that helped define him along the way, including his wonderful employees. Larry is preceded in death by his beloved grandson, Braden Aboud. He is survived by his loving wife Valentine Hahn. Val, as she is affectionately called, was Larry's soul mate for 59 years. He would be the first to remind you that Val was the constant in his life that made him the man that he was. Larry also is survived by his son Jerry Hahn (Susan), daughters Cindi Aboud (Gary) and Susie Shinaut (Randy). His brother Jean Hahn (Jeannie) and sister Francis Adams. Grandchildren, Jennifer Moren (John), Morgan Hahn, Chase Hahn (Viktoria), Avery Aboud, Kelsey Shinaut and Colton Shinaut. Great grandchild Summer Hahn. Memorial services will be held at Coronado Baptist Church, 501 Thunderbird Drive, El Paso, Texas, on Monday February 11, 2013, at 3:00 P.M. A Private burial service will precede the memorial services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation, 5024 Doniphan #2, El Paso, Texas, 79922, Coronado Baptist Church, 501 Thunderbird Drive, El Paso, Texas, 79912 or Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Avenue, Las

DENNIS - 2-10-2013 at 01:29 PM

That's a touching obituary and makes me wish I knew the man.

DEP Larry. We'll see you on the other side.

BajaNomad - 2-10-2013 at 02:32 PM

http://www.bajadreams.com

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=12169

http://forums.bajanomad.com/member.php?action=viewpro&me...

woody with a view - 2-10-2013 at 06:28 PM

sounds like a real character. save me a spot Larry!

Sad news...

David K - 2-10-2013 at 06:36 PM

Oh bummer... he was so cool... flew his plane from Texas to Oceanside to attend my Viva Baja #3. I just posted a photo from his web page showing his (or his dad's) plane in front of Casa Diaz, back in the 1950's. Larry gave me an old edition of Arnold Senerfitt's Airports of Baja California, which I have shared pages here on Nomad, many times since. Larry was the personal pilot to the founder of Taco Bell, as well.

From February 23, 2002:

Larry Hahn and Graham Mackintosh.
Larry flew all the way from El Paso to Oceanside for Viva Baja-3.
That makes Larry the distance champion! See his web site, http://www.bajadreams.com/.

From his web site:

Don Johnson a good buddy of mine. I met him in 1960 while his was running Club
Aereo Mulege across the river from Serenadad. He built it in the early 60s.

Bob Vanwarmer his wife Chacha owners of the three hotels on the East Cape. Las Palmas is my favorite.

When you pay $5.00 for a motel you cannot expect a lot of amenities, would you?
This is Gonzaga Bay Motel.

[Edited on 2-11-2013 by David K]

BajaBlanca - 2-10-2013 at 07:55 PM

RIP loved looking at the old photos on bajadreams. there was a man who loved what he did and did what he loved.

BajaBlanca - 2-10-2013 at 08:02 PM

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the pig roast - can someone find out if they will have a big bash ?

MexicoTed - 2-10-2013 at 11:24 PM

Wow, I actually interviewed him on the old Baja Talk Radio show. He had more stories than we could put on the show. Great Baja guy. Rest in peace.

capt. mike - 2-11-2013 at 10:21 AM

crap - i didn't know this but i knew Larry well.
condolences to son Jerry also a pilot [ his 206 was stolen in baja] and rest of family. Larry and his Dad were flying pioneers of baja.

he had a great Aztec.
Larry was a partner of Mr. Bell.

he has a great website with many cool old photos.

AmoPescar - 2-11-2013 at 12:48 PM

HI MIKE...

Didn't I also pick up Larry at the Oceanside Municipal Airport when I picked you up for Viva Baja #3 in my Viva Baja Van? Anyway, it was a real pleasure to meet him and he certainly had lots of great stories to share. I'm very glad I had the opportunity to meet him!

RIP Larry...I hope the Margaritas and Mexican food in Heaven are as plentiful and good as they are in Baja!

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
crap - i didn't know this but i knew Larry well.
condolences to son Jerry also a pilot [ his 206 was stolen in baja] and rest of family. Larry and his Dad were flying pioneers of baja.

he had a great Aztec.
Larry was a partner of Mr. Bell.

he has a great website with many cool old photos.

Miguelamo

capt. mike - 2-11-2013 at 02:18 PM

yes Amo you did meet him and we all rode together. DK gave me 2nd place for longest flight in - from AZ.....ha!!