Robert J. Trulaske, Sr., who graduated from MU in 1940 with an undergraduate degree in business, passed away on September 25. Bob was a decorated veteran, a distinguished business leader, and a generous contributor to the MU College of Business.
While at MU, Mr. Trulaske was in the advanced ROTC program and was named the outstanding cadet at a training camp at Ft. Riley, Kansas. After graduation, he accepted a position with Procter & Gamble. Mr. Trulaske then served as a pilot in the military during World War II and was involved in D-Day and other battles.
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Bob and Gerry Trulaske at their portrait
unveiling in 1998 surrounded by recipients
of Trulaske Scholarships.
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Mr. Trulaske married his wife, Gerry, in 1945. That same year, he founded True Manufacturing, which grew to become the leading manufacturer of commercial refrigeration products for the beverage and food-service industries. The Trulaskes’ two sons, Rob and Steve, have been full partners in the business for many years.
Bob and Gerry Trulaske have been enormously generous supporters of the College of Business. Their gifts since 1997 have established endowments for undergraduate students, MBA students, and a scholarships coordinator position.
Besides providing financial support that has enabled dozens of students to obtain a high-quality college education, Mr. Trulaske was also interested in each of the students who received Trulaske Scholarships. He would talk with them personally whenever he was on campus or they went to True Manufacturing for a plant tour. Also, every year the Trulaskes invited a group of the scholarship recipients to watch a Mizzou football game from their suite at Memorial Stadium.
“From my personal perspective, I came to know Bob as a serious-minded, yet caring business person,” said Dean Bruce Walker. “He had strong moral values and deep convictions about the importance of self-reliance, a strong work ethic, and patriotism. In addition, he had a great fondness for his alma mater. I admired the warm and wonderful relationship that Gerry and he had, and the fact that they never wanted praise or publicity for their many generous deeds.”