Dean Kruse
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Dean V. Kruse | |
Born | September 21, 1941 Auburn, IN |
---|---|
Residence | United States |
Nationality | American |
Fields | Auctioneer |
Dean Kruse, born September 21, 1941, Auburn, Indiana) is a world famous auctioneer and owner and CEO of Kruse International. [1] Kruse started working in the local auction business founded by his father, Russell W. Kruse, and soon became the company's president. [2] Known to many as the "Dean of Auctioneers," Kruse is a well respected member of the collector car hobby.[3]
A 1957 graduate of the Reppert School of Auctioneering in Decatur, Indiana, Kruse cried his 5,000th auction in Houston, and is reportedly one of the youngest men to even attain that goal.
Kruse is a former Indiana State Senator, serving from 1966 to 1970, and was elected at the age of 25. He is a past president of the Indiana Auctioneer's Association, and a member of their hall of fame[4], along with his father Russell and brother Dennis Kruse.
Dean was responsible for negotiating the purchase of his auction company in 1999 by online auctioneer eBay which paid $275 million for Kruse International and Billpoint.[5] The company was purchased back from eBay by Dean Kruse in 2002. Kruse used part of the money he received from eBay to start two museums in Auburn; the World War II Victory Museum [6] and the Kruse Automotive Horse Power and Carriage Museum [7]
[edit] References
- ^ Kurtz, Dave (2000)."King of the Auctioneers". KPC News.
- ^ Loomis-Studinski, Suzanne (2003). Kruse Control.
- ^ "Roush, Kruse, and Hansen at 3M Car Care Auto Fair". Sports Car Market.
- ^ Indiana Auctioneers Association[1]
- ^ "eBay acquires two firms". CNET News, May 18, 1999.
- ^ Davis, Mike (October 16, 2006)."Museum Hawk: World War II Victory Museum". The Car Connection
- ^ Davis, Mike (April 26, 2007)."Museum Hawk: The "Other Kruse". The Car Connection