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- ). Civic leader and retired chief executive officer of FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF DUBUQUE. Kruse joined First National Bank as a messenger fifteen days after becoming eighteen years of age. He became an officer of the bank in 1955 and rose to the position of executive vice-president in 1966.
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. Since that time he served as chairman of the Board of the UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE; member of its executive, finance, and development committees; and a board member for twenty-one years. Sixteen years were spent as a member of the LINWOOD CEMETERY Association board of directors. Twenty-two years were involved on both the JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT of the Tri-States, Inc. board of directors and the CLARKE COLLEGE Development Council. Kruse served on the DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY board of directors and as a member of the Heritage Trail Executive Committee. He was the 1989 endorsement chairman for the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART.
For his many contributions to Dubuque, Kruse was the recipient of the 1989 Distinguished Civic Service Award, the highest award given by the DUBUQUE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. For outstanding service to the community the Dubuque Jaycees awarded Kruse the 1989 Gil Chavenelle Award. National Junior Achievement presented Kruse in 1989 with its Silver Leadership Award. In 1990 the TELEGRAPH HERALD awarded Kruse and Walter PETERSON its FIRST CITIZEN AWARD.