Family members and friends are remembering a man known for decades as “Mr. Conroe” and “Mr. Montgomery County” who helped many current leaders get their start.

Businessman and civic leader Seth Wendall Dorbandt died Wednesday at the age of 101 with his family by his side, grandson Ryan Alworth said. Funeral arrangements are pending.

“My grandfather was a dynamic and energetic man,” Alworth said. “He cared a great deal about the community and made a point of being involved in projects and programs to make it better.”

In addition to being a leading figure in Texas banking, Dorbandt was actively involved in numerous business, civic and social organizations.

Born in Bertram, Texas in October 1910, Dorbrandt came to Conroe in 1932. He was married and started as a bookkeeper at the First National Bank that year, rising to the position of president and chairman of the board at the bank in 1957. He continued to serve as chairman at successor banks until his retirement.

Dorbandt helped the community in many ways, but he may have performed his most important service by giving many starting out in business their first loans – including two men now vying for Conroe mayor.

Both Webb Melder and Toby Powell got their business starts with loans from Dorbandt, each said.

“When I was 15, he made me my first business loan,” Melder said. “He made a lot of first loans to a lot of people. His primary interest was in the character of the person.

“He helped me succeed. I’ll never forget it.”

Dorbandt helped Powell get started in the home construction business with his first loan, Powell said.

“I remember the first time I made $10,000 more than I needed,” he said. “I went to him and said, ‘I want to put this in savings in your bank.’ He was as thrilled for me as I was.

“He was an exceptional man and an exceptional banker. He always treated us with kindness and was a mentor to so many people.”

Dorbandt held key roles in the Texas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association and the Federal Reserve Bank in Houston, but it was his active involvement in local civic groups that defined his commitment to community service.

He was on the board of the Conroe and Montgomery County Industrial Foundations, Sam Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Salvation Army. Dorbandt was named “Outstanding Citizen” by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce; received the “Silver Beaver” award from the Boy Scouts of America and was inducted to the “Wall of Fame” by the Greater Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce.

Dorbandt was on the board of numerous organizations and president of the Conroe Rotary Club, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Conroe Country Club and Conroe Shrine Club.

“My grandfather lived a full and complete life,” said Alworth. “He started life riding to church in a mule cart, but lived to see men walk on the moon. That was impressive to him.”

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. May 12 at the First United Methodist Church of Conroe, located at 4308 W. Davis Street. A reception will be held at the church following the service.

Courier Managing Editor Nancy Flake contributed to this report.

Reprint May 5, 2012, p 2A, The Courier