Charles Rutenberg

Charles Isaac Rutenberg was born in Chicago and studied at the University of Chicago, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1947. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Impressed by the growth potential of the Tampa Bay Area, Mr. Rutenberg moved to Clearwater in 1953 and plunged into home building and land development.

The developer, among other enterprises, of Countryside Mall, Charles Rutenberg once presided over a diverse empire of more than a half-dozen Pinellas corporations, including a bank and a savings and loan association.

Locally, Charles Rutenberg first made a name for himself with Rutenberg Construction Co. and Imperial Home Corp. When they became part of U.S. Home Corp. in 1969, he became president of U.S. Home as it grew into the nation's largest home builder.

Deposed as chairman in 1977, he later called the surprise action "probably the best thing that ever happened to me." He struck out again on his own, launching Rutenberg Corp., and becoming chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Republic Bank and Life Savings and Loan Association.

Charles Rutenberg also was a benefactor to many civic and charitable groups, donating time as well as money. Some of the local beneficiaries included the Clearwater Hospital Development Board, Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater Jewish Welfare Fund, the University of South Florida and the Performing Arts Center and Theater.