August Kollander, age 94, died Monday, December 30 ^, 2019. Born April 4, 1925, on an island off the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, he was the youngest of nine children to Ivan and Petra. August completed three years of medical school in Zagreb, however when offered a position in his Uncle's travel bureau in the United States he changed his major to economics at the University of Zagreb.  He immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio in 1956 where he worked as a partner with his godfather, August Kollander.  August, with his wife Maia grew the small three person business into a respected large regional travel business, with seven offices in five states.  August was a successful businessman and received many recognitions and decrees from the business community and from the ethnic Slovenian and Croatian Communities, including an award from the President of Slovenia for the exceptional high volume of tourism that August and Maia had brought to the country of Slovenia.

Though the travel business presented many challenges, it provided August and Maia the opportunity to see the world.  Both were avid travelers and especially later in life, spent many months abroad each year.

August was known for his integrity, welcoming charm and dapper attire. He had an infectious laugh and a mischievous sense of humor.  He was very fair-minded and generous to a fault.  His passions were his family, hiking in nature, skiing, working out, and he loved all animals.  He read voraciously with a focus on self-improvement, philosophy and theology.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Maia; his daughters Anne Marie (Mark), Patricia (Bruce), and adult grandchildren Nicholas (Melinda), Michelle, Marcus and Julia and his faithful dog Molly. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Laurel Lake Retirement Community, 200 Laurel Lake Dr. Hudson OH 44236.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Metroparks Legacy Fund in his name at https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com , or to Rescue Village https://www.rescuevillage.org