Doug Leatherdale

Doug was a well- known Twin Cities business man with accomplishments too numerous to list but including Chairman and CEO of the St. Paul Companies, Chairman and board member of the Minnesota Orchestra, and board member of United Healthcare. Leatherdale, of Medina, retired from St. Paul Cos. in 2001 . He joined the insurer (now Travelers Cos. Inc.) in 1972 and became CEO in 1990. Leatherdale served on the UnitedHealth Group board of directors from 1983 until this spring, when he didn't run for re-election. He also has served on the boards of Xcel Energy Inc. and the Minnesota Orchestra. A native of Manitoba, Leatherdale was recognized in September for making a $2 million donation to the Winnipeg zoo. His gift helped fund the polar bear research and education facility, which was named in honor of Leatherdale and his wife, Louise. The couple also donated $5 million to the Minnesota Orchestra and also helped fund an Equine Center at the University of Minnesota, according to the Pioneer Press. Leatherdale was a booster of downtown St. Paul. In 1996, he cofounded an economic development group called the St. Paul Capital City Partnership, which has been credited for luring the NHL to downtown St. Paul. The partnership dissolved in 2011. His contributions to education were many including donation of the Leatherdale Equine Center to the University of Minnesota and the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Doug is survived by his wife, Louise, children Mary Jo, Chris, Tim, and Tom, his sister Sharon, and 8 grandchildren.