Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KRUSE, William G.
KRUSE, William G. (Dubuque, IA, Jan. 4, 1924--Dubuque, IA, May 8, 2012). Kruse joined FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE in 1942 as a messenger fifteen days after becoming eighteen years of age. Over the next 52 years, he was promoted many times and retired as president and chief executive officer. He retired in 1989 but remained with the bank four additional years as chairman of the board. (1) Kruse was a recipient of a 50-Year Member Award from the Iowa Bankers' Association and a member of the American Bankers Association.
Kruse graduated from the School of Financial Public Relations at Northwestern University in 1991, Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1965 and attended banking education programs at the School of Public Fnancial Relations at Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. (2) In 1966 as vice-president and cashier of the bank, he was elected to serve on the board of directors. (3)
Widely respected for his commitment to the city of Dubuque, Kruse developed long ties to many local service organizations and commissions. He began his service to the community in 1955 with the JAYCEES as chairman of the Christmas party for the children of less fortunate families in the community. (4)
Kruse served on the Board of the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE for 44 years. During this time, he served as chairman of the board and a member of its executive, finance and development committees. He remained a member of the board emeritus. (5)
In 1989 Kruse confided that his first interest in service to others came in 1955 as the chairman of the Christas party for the less fortunate children in Dubuque. He never quit. Kruse served in leadership positions with many community organizations. He was chairman of FINLEY HOSPITAL (THE) Board of Directors and a member of its executive, finance and building committees; he served 10 years on the Finley Health Foundation. He was a member of the board of directors of JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE HEARTLAND, Clarke College (University) Development Council for 40 years, DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART, HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES and the LINWOOD CEMETERY Association Board of Trustees for 50 years, including terms as president and treasurer. (6)
He was an active member of many area organizations including Heritage Trail Executive Committee; LORAS COLLEGE Development Committee; DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY (330 Club); DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; Dubuque Rotary Club; American Legion Post 6 of Dubuque and its 40/8 Society; DUBUQUE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB; ELKS CLUB and was the endorsement chairman of the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART. He was an elder of WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. (7)
Kruse was the recipient of numerous honors and awards. In 1989, he received the Distinguished Civic Service Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce; the Gil Chavenelle Award from the Dubuque Jaycees for outstanding service to the community; and the Silver Leadership Award presented by National Junior Achievement. (8) In 1990 the TELEGRAPH HERALD awarded Kruse and Walter PETERSON its FIRST CITIZEN AWARD. Bill was inducted into the DUBUQUE BUSINESS HALL OF FAME that same year. On May 16, 1998, the University of Dubuque conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. (9)
In 2013 Tom Stecher who had worked with Kruse at First National Bank was asked by Molly Dalton, Kruse's stepdaughter, to write a biography of the Dubuque benefactor. The completed book entitled "From the Mailroom to the Boardroom" was released in November 2015. (10)
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Source:
1. "Adams Retires at 1st National," Telegraph-Herald, January 23, 1966, p. 13
2. Pritchard, Ken, "Selfless Kruse to Retire from FNB Post," Telegraph Herald, April 30, 1989, p. 11
3. "Adams Retires..."
4. Montgomery, Jeff. "Book Chronicles Kruse's Chapters of Success," Telegraph Herald, November 19, 2015, p. 3A
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Pritchard
10. Ibid.
Obituaries. Telegraph Herald, May 11, 2012