Adolphus Busch Orthwein
Adolphus Busch Orthwein, also known as Dolph Orthwein, (1917–2013) was an American heir and business executive.
Adolphus Busch Orthwein | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 2, 1917 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 96) Huntleigh, Missouri, U.S. |
| Resting place | Sunset Memorial Park and Mausoleum |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Executive at Anheuser-Busch and Starbeam Supply Company |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Thornley Nancy Morrison |
| Children | 5 sons, including Stephen A. Orthwein and Peter Busch Orthwein |
| Relatives | Adolphus Busch (maternal great-grandfather) |
Early life
Adolphus Busch Orthwein was born on September 2, 1917, in St. Louis, Missouri.[1] His father was Percy Orthwein and his mother, Clara Busch.[1][2] His maternal great-grandfather, Adolphus Busch, was the founder of Anheuser-Busch.[1] He grew up at Grant's Farm in Grantwood Village, Missouri and summered at Red River Farm in Cooperstown, New York.[1]
Orthwein was kidnapped by Charles Abernathy, an unemployed realtor, on New Year's Eve in 1930, when he was thirteen years old.[2][3] His abductor's father, Pearl Abernathy, returned Orthwein to his family on New Year's Day.[3]
Orthwein graduated from Yale University in 1940.[1] During World War II, he served as an intelligence officer in the United States Navy, tracking German submarines in the Caribbean Sea.[3] He served in the United States Naval Reserve in St. Louis and retired as Lieutenant Commander.[3]
Business career
Orthwein joined the family business, Anheuser-Busch. He served as vice president of operations until the late 1950s.[2] Additionally, he served on its Board of Directors until 1963.[2]
In the 1960s, Orthwein acquired Starbeam Supply Co., later known as Starbeam Supply Company.[2] The company, headquartered in Olivette, Missouri, sells lighting for large industrial spaces.[2]
Polo and hunting
Orthwein was a three-goal polo player.[3] He played polo until he was eighty-one.[2] He was inducted into the Missouri Horseman's Hall of Fame.[1]
Orthwein was the Master of the Hounds of the Bridlespur Hunt, a fox hunting club in Huntleigh, Missouri.[1] He was also a duck hunter.[1]
Personal life
Orthwein was married twice. His first wife, whom he married in 1941, was Ann "Nancy" Thornley.[1][3] They had four sons together (Adolphus Busch Orthwein Jr., Stephen A. Orthwein, Peter Busch Orthwein, and David Thornley Orthwein) before they divorced.[3] She subsequently married David Metcalfe.[4]
Orthwein was married to his second wife, Nancy Morrison, for fifty-one years.[1] They had one son, Christopher DaCamara Orthwein.[3] They resided in Huntleigh, Missouri and summered at their family estate in Cooperstown, New York.[1]
Orthwein was a member of the St. Louis Country Club and the Log Cabin Club, two private members' clubs in St. Louis, Missouri.[1] He was also a member of the Bath and Tennis Club in Palm Beach, Florida and the Cooperstown Country Club in Cooperstown, New York.[1] He was a former member of the Everglades Club.[1] He enjoyed playing tennis, chess and poker.[1][3] He carried a pistol for safety.[2]
Death
Orthwein died of lymphoma on November 25, 2013 in Huntleigh, Missouri.[1] He was ninety-six years old.[1] His funeral was held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ladue, Missouri.[2] Another ceremony was held in Palm Beach, Florida.[3] He was buried at Sunset Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Affton, Missouri, where his father was buried too.
References
- Donnelly, Shannon (November 27, 2013). "Orthwein, Anheuser-Busch heir, dies at 96". Palm Beach Daily News. Palm Beach, Florida. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
- O'Neil, Tim (November 26, 2013). "Adolphus Orthwein, Busch family member, dies at age 96". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
- Duffy, Robert W. (27 November 2013), Obituaries: Adolphus Busch Orthwein: After working at Anheuser-Busch, he led smaller companies, S. Louis, Missouri: St. Louis Beacon, archived from the original on 20 July 2013, retrieved October 7, 2015
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, 6 December 2013