THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 41, NO. 6 | SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
TWO OF A KIND
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Retiring archdiocesan director of real estate and construction Leon Roberts, left, and his successor Dan Himmelberg inspect the construction at St. Joseph Church in Topeka. Roberts, who will retire at the end of December, is working with Himmelberg to ensure a smooth transition.
Roberts to retire after 20 years of ‘fun’ with archdiocese By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Isn’t work supposed to be work? What does fun have to do with it? Just ask Leon Roberts. In the 1990s, Roberts was a hard-driving executive with a prestigious Kansas City area architectural firm. But the long hours and stress took their toll, so he left the partnership for health reasons. Nobody would have blamed him if he had just coasted into retirement. But he didn’t. On April 11, 2000, he became archdiocesan director of real estate and construction. That’s when the fun began. “When I came here from Hollis & Miller, owning a 60-person architectural firm, I had forgotten you could enjoy work,” said Roberts. “I regained
that knowledge when I came here. “It’s had its moments when it has been difficult. But for the most part, it has just been enjoyable — enjoyable to see our parishes grow and flourish, and take seriously the stewardship of their facilities. “For me,” he continued, “it has been extremely rewarding. In fact, I’ve gotten more out of it than I thought I would.” Roberts, a member of Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, will officially end his 20-year-career with the archdiocese on Dec. 31. He has been working through a transition period since July with his successor, Dan Himmelberg. A lot of people are going to miss Roberts, Carla Mills among them. “He’s a hoot,” said Mills, archdiocesan chief financial officer. “He knows the importance of lightening up.” >> See “ROBERTS” on page 5
‘Hands-on guy’ prepares to take handoff from veteran By Joe Bollig joe.bollig@theleaven.org
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ANSAS CITY, Kan. — The bar has been set high, and Dan Himmelberg knows it. “The first words that come out of everyone’s mouth when I say, ‘I’m the new Leon,’ is, ‘You have really big shoes to fill,’” said Himmelberg. “I’ve probably heard that no less than 100 times since [I arrived] July 22, and I agree,” he added. The “Leon” is Leon Roberts, archdiocesan consultant for real estate and construction for the past 20 years. But he will retire on Dec. 31. That’s why since July, he has been working to ensure a smooth transition for Himmelberg — his successor — and for the archdiocese. Roberts has left a huge legacy — not only as founder of his office, but
also his involvement with every major and minor property and construction action of the archdiocese since 2000. He knows he’s leaving the job in good hands — and feet. “I was asked who I might know who might be interested,” said Roberts, “and I gave (chancellor) Father John Riley three resumes of people who might be interested and had the skill sets needed to take over the position without having a huge learning curve.” One of the three, the one who was hired, was Himmelberg. Himmelberg and his wife Cindy are both graduates of Kansas State University and members of Holy Cross Parish in Overland Park. He earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1985, and she is a graphic designer. They have two adult children. Himmelberg has 35 years of experi>> See “MISSION” on page 4