nytimes May 21, 2021 5:00pm Paul Van Doren, 90, Dies; Built an Empire With Vans Shoes #deathsobituaries #vandorenpaul19302021 #vansinc #sneakers #skateboarding #vanswarpedtourmusicevent #news Paul Van Doren, 90, Dies; Built an Empire With Vans Shoes The sneakers became a hit in the skateboard world and later a multibillion-dollar nationwide sensation thanks in part to a Sean Penn movie.