Homebuilder legend Arthur Rutenberg dead at 89
Arthur Rutenberg, who started in the appliance business in Chicago but became one of the nation's best-known homebuilders, died suddenly late Wednesday. He was 89.
Until a few hours before his death, the legendary co-founder of megabuilder U.S. Home was at his desk in the Clearwater headquarters of Arthur Rutenberg Homes Inc. That firm, which he started in 1978 after leaving U.S. Home, is the nation's largest franchisor of custom homebuilding companies.
"There was no sign when he left us" of any problems, his son Barry, said Friday. "My wife and I affectionately refer to him as a force of nature and a couple of people said, 'We all knew we'd lose him some time' but didn't expect it because of his focus and determination."
Throughout Rutenberg's long career, his companies built tens of thousands of homes in Florida and other states. When wearing a company shirt while traveling, his son is still approached by people who say, "I grew up in a Rutenberg home" or "I live in a Rutenberg home." Many Rutenberg houses are in Clearwater and other parts of the Tampa Bay area.
http://events.tbo.com/news/business/realestate/homebuilder-legend-arthur-rutenberg-dead-at-89/2318742
The Rutenberg name is pretty synonymous with Florida Mediterranean style home designs.