George Ablah: An Eye for Deals

BY CONNIE KACHEL WHITE

George Ablah George J. Ablah fs ’51, president and board chair of Ablah Enterprises, was a real estate developer with dealings in Dallas, LA, Minneapolis and Wichita, where his successes include Terra Cotta Tower, Tallgrass and Willowbend. In 1979, he rose to national prominence with a huge deal to buy Chrysler’s real estate when the automaker had cash-flow problems.

He also was a success in oil ventures, art collecting and as a business mentor. He and his wife, Virginia, built an acclaimed collection of Henry Moore sculptures, some of which they donated to Wichita and New York City.

In 2007, he received the Kansas Certified Commercial Investment Member chapter’s third Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1986 he and Virginia were presented the WSU Achievement Award, given by the alumni association to alumni in recognition of significant contributions to society.

A Korean War veteran who served in the Marine Corps, Ablah loved golf, watching football and trips to Las Vegas. He died Oct. 27, 2014, in Wichita.

IN MEMORIAM

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George Ablah: An Eye for Deals

George J. Ablah fs ’51, president and board chair of Ablah Enterprises, was a real estate developer with dealings in Dallas, LA, Minneapolis and Wichita, where his successes include Terra Cotta Tower, Tallgrass and Willowbend.

Kathryn Griffith: Sense of Civility

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Anthony P. Gythiel: Renaissance Man

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Bob Langenwalter: Five Varied Views

Robert “Bob” G. Langenwalter ’50, longtime Wichita banker and investor, was always a man on the move.

Hazel Miller: Honor Woman

The year Hazel D. (Shanklin) Miller ’51 graduated from the University of Wichita with a bachelor’s degree in general studies, she was one of more than 400 graduating seniors and one of only six seniors of distinction to garner Women’s Honor Group accolades.

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Jerry Blue began his successful entrepreneurial career in 1959 when he collaborated with his father in the purchase of Radionic Hearing Aid Service in downtown Wichita.

In Memoriam

Leaving lasting legacies are these Wichita State University alumni and friends.