Minnesota's Greatest Generation Oral History Project: Richfield in the Postwar Era: Interview with Ralph Bruins

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Minnesota's Greatest Generation Oral History Project: Richfield in the Postwar Era: Interview with Ralph Bruins

Bruins, Ralph

Saylor, Thomas

Created: 03/07/2007

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Ralph Bruins was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He served in the US Navy before being employed by the Bloomington Lake Bank and Summit National Bank in St. Paul. Bruins eventually transferred to the Summit Bank in Richfield. After working as president of the Buena Vista National Bank in Denver, Colorado, Bruins returned to the Richfield Summit Bank as president and moved to Richfield with his wife and children. He was very active in the local community, particularly in the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and Optimist Club. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: The transition to using computer systems in banks; use of tax increment financing to revive Richfield; attracting businesses to Richfield; history of houses built at the intended site of Augsburg College; postwar construction; suburban shopping options; Richfield public schools; relationship between the bank and community; demographic change; individuals who influenced the development of Richfield; relationship between the airport and community; highway construction; development and sale of Summit Bank; benefits of a close-knit community.

Minnesota Digital Library

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https://collections.mnhs.org/cms/display?irn=10868641

Created: 03/07/2007

Minnesota Digital Library