Boschwitz, Rudy, 1930-

Rudy (Rudolph Eli) Boschwitz was born in 1930 in Berlin, Germany. His family left the country shortly after Adolf Hitler came to power and settled (1935) in New Rochelle, New York. Boschwitz attended New York University, where he earned BS (1950) and LLB (1953) degrees, following which he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps (1953-1954). In 1963 Boschwitz founded Plywood Minnesota, Inc., which eventually grew into a chain of 68 home improvement stores. He served as a Republican National Committeeman from 1971 to 1978.

In 1978 Rudy Boschwitz was elected to the United States Senate, where he served two terms. He was elected at least in part as a backlash against Wendell Anderson, his Democratic predecessor, who as governor of Minnesota had arranged to have himself appointed to the Senate seat vacated (1977) by Walter Mondale when Mondale was elected Vice President in 1976.

In the Senate Boschwitz served on the committees on Agriculture, the Budget, Foreign Relations, Small Business, and Veterans Affairs. Agriculture appears to have been his greatest area of interest. Boschwitz was defeated by challenger Paul Wellstone in the general election of 1990.

Rudy Boschwitz married Ellen Antoinette Loewenstein in 1956; they have four sons.

From the guide to the Papers, 1953-1993 (bulk 1978-1990)., (Minnesota Historical Society)