Handschin, Robert, 1911-1997.

Handschin organized co-operatives in farming communities throughout Minnesota and the Upper Midwest and was the Director of Economic Research for Grain Terminal Association of Minnesota (GTA) for 33 years (1948-1981), reporting directly to general manager Myron William Thatcher. Before joining GTA Handschin was a legislative representative for the National Farmers Union from 1938-1943. He was also a lobbyist for GTA after he retired in 1981.

As research director for GTA, his primary responsibilities consisted of finding and preparing economic and legislative information for management as requested or personally developed on a day-to-day basis. Handschin also wrote speeches for management and represented GTA at meetings, conventions, and the Board of the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives.

Handschin graduated from the University of Illinois Phi Betta Kappa in math in 1932. He was a member and president of the Minnesota Geological Society and was an editorialist for the FU Herald and its successor, the Co-Op Country News . He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Balance Association from about 1976-1979, and a director of the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives. He died in 1997 at the age of 86.

From the guide to the Robert Handschin papers., 1322-1981, bulk 1939-1981., (Minnesota Historical Society)