Matthias "Matth." Toebben, the German immigrant who arrived in Northern Kentucky with $10 and a handmade wooden suitcase and went on to build hundreds of custom homes across Boone and Kenton counties, Aug. 3, at St. Elizabeth Hospice Center in Edgewood.

He was 95.

Toebben built neighborhoods that Boone County residents drive through. His first local project was a subdivision on Amsterdam Road. He later developed Redstone Village in Union. His company, Toebben Builders and Developers, also built Country Squire Estates near Buttermilk Pike, Chatham Ridge and Squire Valley in Villa Hills, and more than 800,000 square feet of commercial and retail space across the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.

The NKyTribune reported that Toebben built his enterprise on hard work, quality craftsmanship, business savvy and fair treatment of people.

Born May 16, 1931, in Lorup, Germany, one of 11 children, Toebben studied cabinet making before boarding the S.S. United States in 1953 at age 21. His mother gave him the $10 from egg money she had saved. In his autobiography, "The Immigrant," Toebben described the crossing: "With $10 in his pocket and hope in his heart, a young man who spoke no English and who had never been far out of the sight of Lorup, got on a boat with his self-crafted wooden suitcase for the arduous journey to America."

He arrived in Northern Kentucky a day late after boarding the wrong train in New York, one headed for California instead of Cincinnati. Once he found his way, he took a carpentry job with George Kruetzjans, a Fort Wright home builder, earning $60 a week. Within six months he was moonlighting as a freelance carpenter.

By 1955, just two years after immigrating, Toebben started his own company. In 1958, the firm purchased 180 acres and began building Country Squire Estates, completing more than 40 custom homes by 1960. A Toebben-built $80,000 Dutch Colonial was featured in the 1963 Cavalcade of Homes Show. He became president of his local Home Builders Association in 1965.

The company grew into three entities: Toebben Builders and Developers, Matth Toebben Construction and Toebben Ltd. Sons John and Bill Toebben, along with grandsons, continue to run the family enterprise. John Toebben, who lives in Hebron, serves as president of Toebben Builders and was appointed to the Boone County Transportation Improvement District board in April 2026.

Beyond construction, Toebben created numerous high school and college scholarships and donated to local nonprofits. He met his wife, LaVerne, at a dance after arriving in Northern Kentucky. They were married 56 years before her death. He is survived by five children, his longtime companion Pat Runge, 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Linnemann Funeral Home, 1940 Burlington Pike, Burlington. Mass of Christian burial is Monday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2474 Lorraine Court, Crescent Springs. Private burial will follow. Memorial donations may be directed to the Holy Cross High School Academic Enhancement Program, 3617 Church St., Covington, KY 41015.