15 Facts About Bruce Dayton

Bruce Bliss Dayton was an American retail executive, businessman, heir to the Dayton's Company fortune, and philanthropist.

Bruce Dayton named the bookstore chain after himself, replacing the Y in his surname with an L At its height, B Dalton was the largest retailer of hardcover books in the US, with 798 locations.

Bruce Dayton was the father of Governor and US Senator from Minnesota, Mark Bruce Dayton.

Bruce Dayton was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 16,1918, as the second oldest of five brothers.

Bruce Dayton's mother was the former Grace Bliss, while his father, George Nelson Dayton, was the President and Chairman of Dayton Company.

Bruce Dayton received a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1940.

Bruce Dayton then served in the United States Army during World War II and arrived in France on May 10,1945, just two days after V-E Day.

Bruce Dayton started working at the Dayton Company, the family's retail company, in 1940 in the merchandise receiving room.

Bruce Dayton succeeded his brother, Donald Dayton, as Dayton Co.

Bruce Dayton, described as the more "financially-oriented" brother, oversaw the company with a focus on profits and the bottom line.

Bruce Dayton became the Dayton Hudson Corporation's chairman in 1970.

Bruce Dayton left the management of the company in 1977 but remained on the board of directors until 1983.

Bruce Dayton continued his work in philanthropy after stepping down from Dayton Hudson in 1983.

Bruce Dayton died at his home in Orono, Minnesota, on November 13,2015, at the age of 97.

Bruce Dayton was survived by his wife, Ruth Stricker Dayton; two sons, Governor of Minnesota Mark Dayton and Brandt Dayton; two daughters, Lucy Dayton and Anne Dayton; two step-children.