Police say the Harmon Rocket a two-seat sport plane caught fire after the crash, and both a man and a woman were found deceased inside the aircraft. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 April 11, 1967)[1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. Insiders still refer to this time in the companys history as the dead zone. Profits fell as the company overreached by opening stores in saturated markets like Las Vegas and adding menu items, like popcorn shrimp salad, that customers didnt want. Te damos 5 razones para no perderte el Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich y la Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad. Tom Dobson - NNDB In the summer of 1854, a destitute stowaway on a Texas-bound schooner was discovered and forced to work for his passage. So proud & so tired.17. [1] In 1971, the company opened its first drive-through store, and in 1972, it opened its 100th store. He nearly lost a lot of money due to his drunk oil partners actions. Together, they raised three children: Hugh, Lynne and Tom. Dobson wrote about this difficulty in his journal: Late May, 1950- Landed back in Midland April 21 to find that Henry Mode, my oil partner, had begun drinking again. Yet despite its success, Whataburgers history has included some setbacks. The 70s was a decade of Whataburger milestones. Through the years, she also served in numerous philanthropic capacities including working for the USO, Coastal Bend Youth City, the Kidney Foundation and the Texas State Aquarium. Harmon Dobson - Google Search Fowler died after the Harmon Rocket plane he was piloting went down in a field northwest of Thorsby, Alta., on Saturday afternoon. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. Other franchisees settled their disputes in a separate agreement as part of Whataburgers efforts to repair its strained relations with them. In addition to a legacy of giving, Lady Grace made sure to instill her children with hard work and Whataburger values. Andrews developed a close relationship with Dobson; he even coined the companys popular slogan, We build a bigger, better burger., Today, those oversized burgers and the promise of fresh ingredients generate annual sales of $1.8 billion, making Whataburger the thirty-third-largest restaurant chain in the countryand the second-largest founded and based in Texas, after Chilis. At the end of 1980, Whataburger opened its 300th restaurant. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. After the settlement, the leadership of both companies changed. A student organization of St. Marys University of San Antonio, Texas, featuring scholarly research, writing, and media from students of all disciplines. Weve updated the security on the site. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Little did he know that he was going to be the founder of an epic fast food restaurant. The pragmatic Lady Grace rolled up her sleeves and got to work, teaching her children the family business along the way. August 10, 1950- I came to Corpus Wed. Paul finally opened Tuesday [August 8] $50 first day, $79 yesterday & $62 today. New Year's Day, 1950, Harmon Dobson, a sometime bush pilot, diamond courier, and automobile dealer, wrote in his journal: . Whataburger has been highly successful in a very competitive market, says Stephen Barth, a professor of law and leadership at the University of Houstons Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. The company also said it didnt intend for the 1993 settlement to give WOA exclusive rights or lower royalties. H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. In 1953 , Joe Andrews received the first Whataburger franchise, and business was booming. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Under the leadership of Grace Dobson, the company thrived and grew. To use this feature, use a newer browser. The number of locations doubled to more than 200 restaurants. Written by: Rebecca Canfield | Photos Courtesy of: Whataburger. Dobson and Burton scouted out several locations for their big burger venture before settling on Corpus Christi. Harlon Gerry Dobson, of Pittsgrove Township, N.J., died Saturday at Crozier Chester Medical Center in this Philadelphia suburb, where he . By the end of the decade, Harmon would open Whataburger #21 in Pensacola, Florida. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. Whataburger founder Harmon Dobson stands in front of his first . Dobson and Burton's goal was to make a burger that took two hands to hold and that tasted good. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Try again later. It consists of a grilled quarter-pound beef patty, fresh lettuce, four dill pickles, three slices of tomatoes, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup. 1967. By 1960, Whataburger had 17 restaurants. List of fatalities from aviation accidents - Wikipedia [4] Burton and Harmon decided that Burton would own the Whataburger franchises in San Antonio, Texas, while Harmon would own the rest of the company and its franchises. . Man dies after crashing his plane near U.S. 40. Peterson resigned in 1993. Wow! More than seven decades ago, an adventurous and determined entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson had a bold idea: to serve a burger so big that it took two hands to hold, and so good that after a single bite customers couldn't help but exclaim, What a burger! He named his humble burger stand, located on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, Whataburger.. Dobson, an Arkansas native, married Harmon Dobson in 1955, five years after he opened the first Whataburger near Del Mar College. The first drive-thru was installed in 1971. The. The Texas burger landscape is more competitive than ever, thanks to an influx of regional mini-chains such as Austins P. Terrys, the Metroplexs Twisted Root Burger Co., and Houstons Becks Prime and smaller national chains such as Smashburger, Five Guys, and Shake Shack. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Joe Andrews Sr. died in 1999, and his son, Joe Jr., took overand then died suddenly three years later while attending a Whataburger conference in New Orleans. On April 10, 1967, Dobson needed to fly to Beaumont, Texas for business and wanted someone to come along with him. Year should not be greater than current year. Whatalife: Harmon Dobson, the Founder of Whataburger With time, they started to expand more outside Texas because Texans gave this restaurant a gold star. It amazes me how many people talk about whataburger and that those burgers are probably the best they have ever tried because of their unique taste, but I have never tasted one. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Our History: The Whataburger Story Ricky Nelson and Six Others Die As Their Plane Crashes in Texas The two-seat aircraft crashed into a field north of Thorsby around 1:40 p.m., RCMP said in a Saturday evening news release. . The main reason for the move was for oil. Make sure that the file is a photo. He was not afraid to tell people if they did not meet his standards.. This event coincided with the mass unemployment and hysteria that lasted throughout the following decade. "It was a friendship that grew and grew," Sheka said. 1 of 6. This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. I thought it was only a Texas thing and never heard of them existing anywhere else. Sorry! Whataburger moved its Home Office to San Antonio from Corpus Christi in 2009. Dobson was involved in the early growth of the franchise from 1950 until his death in an airplane crash in 1967. While her husband, Harmon Dobson, was the one who launched the first Whataburger, it was Lady Grace who clung tightly to her husbands legacy through terrible trials and tragedies. In a short time, Dobson had an impressive business. Whataburger was becoming what Dobson always knew it could, and his family was happy and successful. Whataburger, which saw San Antonio as a key growth market, filed suit to block the sale. Eventually, Jim Peterson became the new CEO, but he left a negative impact on the company. So, Dobson, being a former pilot, used a Piper Sub Club plane to drop flyers and coupons to potential customers. Im glad to read that Tom Dobson, his son, was able to continue the legacy that was left by his father. 9 Intense Plane Crashes Caused By Stalls Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation 3.2M views 2 years ago 8 Bad Weather Plane Crashes Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. The story of Dobson was well written here. Harmon Archibald Dobson [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. In 1969, Grace became chairman of the board. However, over the years, Whataburger has become a legend in its own right. But in April of that year, a plane accident cut short Harmon's life, leaving her with three . After hearing from a friend in Houston that Texas was teeming with both cars and oil, Dobson, whose business ventures now had him traveling halfway across the U.S., purchased a private plane and learned to fly it. DeLaughters Is the Little Grocery Store That Could, The Daughter of a Barbecue Family Takes Tradition in a New Direction, The Old Orange Cafe Is a Piece of Local History, Gen Zs Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade. [4] In 1993, her son Tom Dobson became the CEO and president of Whataburger. His parents had reason to worry. There was a problem getting your location. For Adler, the name on the stadium and the ball-throwing honor were small tributes to a woman he thought the world of. [4] Harmon Dobson was sixteen years old on Black Friday, but this first Black Friday was no shopping extravaganza: it marked the most devastating stock market crash in United States history. The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Also on the board were Sam W. Main who was vice president, Laneil Andert who was secretary, Ray F. Miller who was treasurer, and Roscoe Smith and Tom E. Dobson as board members.13 During this time, Grace usually avoided the spotlight, but she attended almost every company event. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. In my personal opinion, I am glad he did not succeed in striking oil because I would not have been able to enjoy Whataburger. I never knew that Dobsons initial intent was to try and strike oil here in Texas. Failed to remove flower. Many Texans still love and appreciate the food at this Texas treasure. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. Born:? In 1952 Andrews, who lived in Alice, brought his family to eat at the Kingsville branch and was so impressed that he contacted Dobson about buying a franchise. According to the lawsuit, Reese met with Atkinson, who told her that despite the agreement, Whataburger didnt believe it was obligated to approve new sites and that it could veto any sites that the franchisee selected. Whatabattle! - Texas Monthly Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. His friend and associate, Andrew Sneed was also killed. Saturday, May 24, 2014 Plane Crash After I went to the library earlier this week, I found something Interesting as I was going through my notes. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. GREAT NEWS! ! Then they ask, whats a picture show? I try to explain drive in movies to them. The first Whataburger was served 66 years ago today in South Texas - mySA "She was a very shy woman, who didn't want the limelight," Adler said Friday. I am an English & Communication Arts major at St. Marys University. Shortly after arriving on campus, Harmon was called home to help with a family crisis. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. In August, they opened their first location on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, across the street from Del Mar College. This, I believe, will turn out to be a very profitable investment, which is something up until May 1, I was very unaccustomed.3, Dobson aimed to make a better burger a burger so good that it would require two hands to hold it. The children grew up working in the restaurants and are still a part of what makes Whataburger great today. The entire crew bailed out, with Harmon parachuting into a jungle. They really caught on early to the adage that pioneers get slaughtered and settlers get the land, he says. The lawsuit, filed in San Antonio in March, traces the roots of the dispute to the earliest days of the Whataburger chain, which Dobson founded in 1950 after stints in shipbuilding, oil drilling, and diamond trading. I like to write, listen to music, and read about fashion. The All-Time Favorites menu, featuring four of the most loved specialty sandwiches from over the years, made its debut and was greeted enthusiastically by Whataburger fans. In 1956 and 1957, respectively, they had a daughter named Mary Lynne and a son named Hugh Carlton. Burton wanted to cut back on the product, convinced that customers would not pay that much. Whataburgers Facebook page reached 1 million fans in 2013, just over a year after its launch. He had $2500 to invest in the right deal involving oil, and eventually, he became partners with Henry Mode on an oil lease in Loving County, Texas.2 Yet, this investment did not lead to success. [2] Harmon and his wife had two children, a daughter born in 1956 and a son born in 1957. 10 Infamous US Plane Crashes | Smithsonian Channel - YouTube Theres no question that Whataburger, if managed properly in the public market, could deliver a significant return, he says. By 1965, it was estimated that Whataburger was selling 15,000 hamburgers a day. On June 23, 1950, the Texas Secretary of State office granted Dobson the trademark for Whataburger. Dobson then invested more time and more effort into developing the first Whatabuger.4, Eventually, on August 8, 1950, Dobson opened and sold his first Whataburger through the window of a little portable building. At age 16, Dobson was accepted into the University of Missouri to study journalism, but was forced to return to his family farm soon after attending due to a family crisis at home due to the Great Depression. She threw out the ball at the field right before she got really sick. Private burial will be in Seaside Memorial Park. In the past, corporate simply approved such requests, as stipulated under the 1993 settlement. I hope to become a successful journalist in the future. Following that, he worked at the New York Shipbuilding Company, which, at the time, was the worlds largest boat-builder for the U.S. Navy. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. She was very excited about that." Dobson even cut a deal with a local bakery to make special-sized buns; the Rainbo bakery had to search the country for a company that could make pans big enough to bake them. The plane was making unusual noises and was rumored to be having engine trouble. The meat and vegetables were always fresh, never frozen. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? As a devout Whataburger customer this article was fascinating. Harmon Archibald Dobson (October 8, 1913 - April 11, 1967) [1] was an American entrepreneur best known as one of the founders of the fast food chain Whataburger. She did not like to drive, so for years he picked her up and drove her to monthly USO meetings. The plane, a Harmon Rocket, caught fire following the crash. He was able to please his customers with a five-inch burger by making special arrangements with the Rainbo Bread Company to develop five-inch buns, which were an inch larger than the standard bun. The purpose of this is to explore expansion plans in the northern area of the United States while staying true to the brands message.15 Some of the brand messages can be found in The Whataburger Difference. The Whataburger Difference is what separates the company from every other competitor that they have and one of the five points of focus is to protect and serve the best products in the industry.16 With this said, hopefully Texans will stay true to the family brand as changes occur, which would surely make Dobson proud of how his company has grown. Dobson revealed that in Fast Food magazine in 1957 that flying over a Whataburger in Bryan, Texas led to more customers buying burgers. Later, he went to Egypt and worked on the Suez Canal. This was interesting article especially since it was about a burger that is highly famous here in Texas. Tragedy struck the Whataburger family in 1967 when a plane crash took the life of Harmon Dobson. Looking for a more secure venture, Dobson met and partnered with Paul Burton. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Dobson, who was an avid pilot, was inspired by his time in sky, designed the orange and white striped A-frame store in Odessa, Texas, in 1961. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? After handling freight to pay for his travel, nineteen-year-old Abel Head Pierce, a native of Little Compton, Rhode Island, landed at the Texas port of Indianola five months after leaving home. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3151 Reid Drive. She lived simply and seldom spent the Whataburger money, aside from the many charities to which she contributed. Failed to report flower. based on information from your browser. However, Dobson was already looking to move on to bigger ventures. The prosperity lasted until 1967 when Dobson and his friend Gene Crane were killed in a plane crash in La Porte, where they had stopped to refuel. By 1960, Whataburger stores had expanded and were operating across Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. She is survived by two sons, Thomas and Hugh Dobson; a daughter, Lynne Dobson; three sisters, Lola Stettler, Louise Abbot and Jean Florie; and five grandchildren. [4] In 1962, the company introduced French fries and hot pies to its menu. [8] The crash killed Dobson and his business associate. Im beginning to like it & the dollars too.11, By the spring of 1967, Whataburger had expanded to more than forty stores in sixteen Texas cities and four states since it had first opened in 1950. This attention to detail likely led to Whataburger receiving $50 in purchases on their first day.5. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. And a new building design, which retained the spirit of the original A-frame, was unveiled. The University of Houstons Barth says such changes arent unusual in a company that has grown to Whataburgers size. Ive always associated Whataburger with Texas and learning more about an integral part of Texan culture was enjoyable. Grace Dobson, also known as Lady Grace, is the famous face behind the Whataburger empire. As a standard for mythical tall tales and legends, it comes as no surprise that Texas holds the national corner on stories of lost treasure. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The burgers sold back then are the same as the original Whataburger that many Texans still love to today. What disappointed Harmon most about this era was the news that although he was accepted to the University of Missouri to study journalism, he would never graduate. This plane was easy to spot as it towed a Whataburger banner in the air and blared its duck-like airhorn.9, After every flight, business would do well. Verify and try again. Read more: 2 dead after small plane crashes near Thorsby: Alberta . Dobsons journey started when he left Arkansas for Texas in 1950. However, Dobson found success to be lonely. In 1934, Dobson started work as an apprentice ironworker, he later became a shipbuilder at the start of World War II. In 2012, though, Tom Dobson relinquished his CEO duties to Atkinson, a former contractor who started building Whataburger restaurants in 1986 and then joined the company in 1998. Whataburger is bigger than all of those, and that may be the point. I'm going to miss her, too." Thank God for his drunken partners actions which led him to leave the oil business, otherwise, we wouldnt get to experience the beloved food of Whataburger! BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority interest in Whataburger and Ed Nelson was promoted to President in 2019. Oct 21, 2020, 9:31am PST. Perhaps the Depression stuck with young Harmon because food was important to him long after tough economic times had ended. Harmon Dobson | Military Wiki | Fandom UPLAND, Pa. (AP) _ A former New Jersey state trooper severely injured in the crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, last month has died, a hospital spokeswoman said. ). And on May 6, 1999, Whataburger by the Bay opened in Corpus Christi as a tribute to Whataburger's upcoming 50th anniversary. On June 23, 1950, the Texas Secretary of State office granted Dobson the trademark for Whataburger. Dobson then invested more time and more effort into developing the first Whatabuger.4, Eventually, on August 8, 1950, Dobson opened and sold his first Whataburger through the window of a little portable building. Failed to delete memorial. By the mid-60s, there were over 40 stores in fifteen Texas cities and four states. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. To this day, giving is a huge part of the Whataburger dynasty. However, if one thinks about it, if it were not for this incident, Dobson would not have gone down the road that he did to finance Whataburger. But thats a tough needle to thread for a company that has developed intense customer loyalty because of its down-home, noncorporate image. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Yet, I find it insane that Dobson died so tragically and unexpectedly before he could see his fast food chain truly flourish and gain a big following from many Texans and others from different states. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. And by the end of 1989, Whataburger was serving hot and fresh food at 440 different locations. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Thats what made me mad, made me want to fight, Grace told biographers. [7], In his will, Dobson left the company to his wife, Grace Dobson, who at the time was encouraged to sell the company. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. It is a place that feels like home to more than 50,000 employees, called Family Members, and millions of customers. Oops, something didn't work. He attributes that success to Whataburgers prudent approach to growth, training, and customer service. Although he missed college, Harmon was determined to make his way in the world. We also elevated General Managers in our more than 850 restaurants to Operating partners, serving as the face of Whataburger in their communities, connecting and creating relationships with local schools, businesses, and nonprofits. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. This is such a great topic! Great article! All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. This is a great article and very informative! Ford Heights plane crash: Small plane crashes near I-394 and Lincoln Unwilling to compromise, Dobson offered Burton the keys to his yellow Plymouth convertible and franchise rights to all of San Antonio in exchange for the business. He died when his private plane, a Cessna Skymaster, crashed shortly after takeoff. January 1, 1950- I think this will be an eventful year for me.1. The wreckage of a military plane found this month on an Alaska glacier is that of an Air Force plane that crashed in 1952, killing all 52 people aboard, military officials said Wednesday. Were honored today to just say . Leave them blank to get signed up. Born: October 8, 1913, Wayne, OK. Died: 1967, La Porte, TX. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. I had no idea that the founder, Harmon Dobson, was not originally from here. Ben Cauley survived the crash and James Alexander was not on the plane. In February 1955, Coy passed away, and Dobson and Grace turned to each other for comfort. Fifty years after standing in line at the first Whataburger where he made friends with Grace Dobson, local businessmen Robert Adler was on hand earlier this year when his friend "Lady Grace" threw out the first pitch at the opening of Whataburger Field. This tiny burger stand offered something people had never seen: a burger that was so big, they had to hold its five-inch bun with two hands. Tom healed the wounds that Peterson left on Whataburger by pulling together as a company, simplifying its message, shutting down less profitable locations, and putting emphasis back on its famous burgers.14. The airplane operated on a flight from Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL (YJT) to Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores (TER). They werent in a hurry to expand, and they rarely if ever expanded outside their comfort zone and their target market.. Mary Lynne and Hugh are both members of the board of directors. You can always change this later in your Account settings. He realized that he needed some creative marketing strategies to obtain new customers. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. Montana family mourning loss of pilot | ParkRecord.com Harmon Dobson founded this famous Texas hot spot in 1950. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Dobson wanted to increase the price of a burgerfrom 25 to 30 cents. harmon dobson plane crash - volat-publicite.com Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Today, in 2019, it has been 69 years since the first Whataburger opened up. A host of new menu items was unveiled, including the Whatameal, the A.1. Thick & Hearty Burger, cookies, biscuits, chicken strips and more.

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