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Friends recall Chevy dealer Vic Koenig

BY LINDA RUSH, THE SOUTHERN

Thursday, March 22, 2007 7:04 AM CDT

Vic Koenig was an auto dealer who was "very proud of Chevrolet products," his longtime friend Mike Twomey recalled. "He stood behind everything he sold."

Koenig, 70, was found dead by Carbondale police at about 11:53 a.m. Wednesday at a residence at 1006 S. Taylor Drive in Carbondale. Police said he died from a gunshot wound, apparently self-inflicted.

Twomey, a Carbondale attorney, and others recalled Koenig's long history as an automobile dealer in the community, and as an officer of state and local business organizations.

"I've known Vic for 40 years," Twomey said. "My dad helped him as an attorney in the 1960s, 70s and 80s. He was always a straight-shooter" who spoke his mind, Twomey added.

Koenig came to Carbondale from St. Louis in 1966 and set up his dealership in a new building on Illinois 13 at Lewis Lane. He'd purchased the land from the estate of Dr. John Lewis for $200,000 and built a 17,000-square-foot showroom and service facility.

"That was very progressive at the time, to build a brand new facility in this town," said Frank Black, co-owner of Vogler Motor Co. "I've known him ever since he came to Carbondale.

"He also was one of the first ones who got into leasing in this area, long before it became popular" Black said. Both the Koenig and Vogler dealerships were pioneers in offering leasing of vehicles, he said. A Southern Illinoisan article about the dealership said Koenig expanded into leasing in 1976.

When Koenig ran for office in the Illinois Auto Dealers Association, Black "supported his bid," he said.

"You compete, but that doesn't mean we don't get along," Black said, adding that the town's dealers cooperated on promotions over the years.

In 1981, Koenig was elected to his first term on the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce board. He was re-elected in 1994, 1997 and 1999. At the time of the 1994 appointment, Sally Jackson, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber, called Koenig "an articulate voice for small business and a strong representative for Southern Illinois."

linda.rush@thesouthern.com

351-5079