Spencer, Iowa (RI) – Family and friends gathered in northwest Iowa Monday to honor a local businessman and philanthropist who helped save the Arnolds Park amusement park from the wrecking ball.
Toby Shine of Milford died Friday at the age of 82. Shine went to work at his family’s scrap metal business in Spencer in 1960 and later became its president and owner.
Herman Richter, co-owner of the Three Sons clothing store in Milford, knew Shine well.
Richter credits Shine with spearheading a regional approach to economic development, and the result is the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor that promotes the four counties that touch Iowa’s largest natural lakes.
Sue Richter of Milford, Herman Richter’s sister-in-law, worked with Shine in 1999 to save the region’s amusement park, which developers planned buy, demolish, and build condos on the property.
Shine had served on the Advisory Board of the Chicago Federal Reserve. He also served on the Spencer City Council and later on Wahpeton’s City Council.
The Shine Brothers Corporation in Spencer was the site of the memorial gathering for Shine earlier Monday afternoon.
KIWA Staff Photo
