SEATTLE — Bruce Nordstrom, a retail executive who helped expand his family’s department store chain in the Pacific Northwest into a national upscale brand, has died.
Seattle-based Nordstrom said its former president died at his home on Saturday. He was 90 years old.
“Our father left a strong legacy as a legendary business leader, a generous community citizen and a loyal friend,” said a statement from his sons, Nordstrom CEO Eric Nordstrom and Pete Nordstrom, the company’s president.
The chain traces its roots to a Seattle shoe store opened in 1901 by Swedish immigrant John Nordstrom and a partner.
Bruce Nordstrom and other members of the third generation took the reins in 1968. They took the company public in 1971 and expanded its presence throughout the United States while also launching lower-priced Nordstrom Rack stores.
Bruce Nordstrom retired from his executive position in 1995 when the third generation handed over leadership to the fourth generation. He retired as Chairman of Nordstrom in 2006.
He was one of several members of the Nordstrom family who in 2017 pushed the company to take the company private, proposing to buy the 70% of shares in the department store that they did not already own. Those talks fell through in 2018, but earlier this year, his sons began another series of takeover negotiations.
In addition to two sons, Nordstrom’s survivors include his wife, Jenny, his sister and fellow philanthropist, Anne Gettinger, and seven grandchildren.
“Infuriatingly humble alcohol fanatic. Unapologetic beer practitioner. Analyst.”