Bruce Bachmann

Bruce Bachmann had a long career in real estate and a history of philanthropic endeavors, supporting organizations out of his own pocket and through the Polk Bros. Foundation. Bachmann's uncles and his mother were the Polks of Polk Bros., the Chicago appliance discounter that at one time operated 17 stores in the Chicago area before closing in 1992. That business initially funded the foundation, which has supported more than 3,000 Chicago nonprofits since its founding in 1988 with annual grants of $20 million to $25 million to 350 to 400 local organizations. Bachmann was one of the founders and remained a member of the board, said Sandra Guthman, a cousin and chairwoman of the foundation. Bachmann also played a leading role in helping establish the Polk BrosPark at the west end of Navy Pier. Bachmann was born in Chicago and attended Austin High School. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, then served in the Army, including time in a presidential honor guard in the late 1950s, his family said. Bachmann worked his way up in the family business run by his mother and uncles, at one point working as a store manager. He began his career in real estate in 1969, managing a real estate investment trust. He later became president of a real estate subsidiary of I.C. Industries. He established Bachmann Associates in 1981, which handled the planning, financing, management of 20 free-standing medical buildings, most in the Chicago area. The firm eventually sold the buildings. With two partners, he later formed GBK Equity Lenders, specializing in what is called mezzanine and gap financing for builders and developers. He and his wife, Ann, who died in 2013, teamed up with his sister Roberta Lewis and her husband Irv to sponsor an I Have A Dream class of 57 students from Burr Elementary School in Chicago. The four committed to mentoring the youngsters from late elementary school through college or other post-secondary education. Bachmann and his wife to began collecting studio glass around 1987. The glass, made into sculptural objects, includes the work of Dale Chihuly and many other contemporary artists. Much of the Bachmanns' collection, about 300 pieces, is now or will soon be on display at The Henry Ford history museum in Dearborn, Mich. Survivors also include daughters, Betsy Kushen and Cathy Ethridge.; two sons, Steve and Andy; and four grandchildren.