NAUMANN, Lester C.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Sunday, April 6, 2003 Lester C. Naumann, longtime Phoenix business leader, community volunteer, and founder of Naumann Lift Trucks, Inc., passed away on March 28, 2003. Born in Toledo, Ohio on June 5, 1912, Les lived there until 1949 when he moved to Phoenix to open up the Arizona Branch of the Robert H. Braun Co. The Braun Co., headquartered in L.A., was the CLARK lift truck distributor for the Western part of the United States. In 1957 Les purchased the assets of the Braun Co. and founded Naumann Lift Trucks, Inc. This business grew and prospered, eventually opening physical branches in Tucson, Yuma, and Nogales, plus having service technicians located in Prescott, Flagstaff, Lake Havasu, Kingman, and Douglas. In 1979 Les sold the business to his daughter Karen and son-in-law Bob Hobbs Sr. and today the company is known as Naumann/Hobbs Material Handling, Inc. During his 30 years of leading his business Les was known as a visionary in the Material Handling Distribution business. He was a strong leader, with integrity, who was committed to giving the very best service to his clients. He never wavered, and it was this commitment to excellence that allowed his company to achieve a prominent place among Arizona's business organizations. While a CLARK Dealer, Les was twice elected Chairman of CLARK'S Dealer Advisory Council. Within the community, as a volunteer, Les personally started the Paradise Valley Police Department and was Town Marshal for 10 years. He also found time to serve as President of the Western Saddle Club and as Chairman of the Arizona State Trails Committee. As a horseman he was a member and Board Member of the Verde Vaqueros, a member of the Desert Caballeros, a member of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Posse, and he was an organizer and Captain of the Maricopa County Rangers. Civically he was President of the Golden Gate Settlement, President of the Maricopa County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and President of the Valley of the Sun Kiwanis Club. In Toledo he was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the York Rite. Les served as a Church Deacon, and at the time of his death was an active member of the Chaparral Christian Church. Predeceased by his first wife of 37 years, Mary Jane, Les is survived by his wife of 26 years, Marge, his daughter Karen and her husband Bob Hobbs Sr., his step daughter Patti and her husband Mike Ventimiglia, two grandchildren, four step grandchildren, two great grandchildren and ten step great grandchildren. A Memorial Service is being held at 2 PM, Saturday, April 19 at Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254, 602-991-9878. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Music Dept. at Chaparral Christian Church or to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, 602-530-6900 in memory of Les. Courtesy of Pat Wilson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Sunday, April 13, 2003 Naumann, Lester C., age 90, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on March 28, 2003. Services 2:00 PM Saturday, April 19, 2003 at Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ. Contributions may be made to Music Dept. at Chaparral Christian Church, 6451 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254 or Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Courtesy of Pat Wilson.