The Duchossois Group
| Richard L. Duchossois | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 7, 1921 Chicago, Illinois |
| Education | Morgan Park Academy, Washington and Lee University |
| Occupation | business executive with The Duchossois Group, Inc., Arlington Park, Churchill Downs |
| Board member of | The Duchossois Group, Inc., TCMC, Inc., Thoroughbred Racing Association |
| Spouse(s) | 1) Beverly Thrall 2) Judi |
| Children | Craig J., Dayle, Bruce, Kim |
| Awards | 2 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, American Jockey Club Gold Medal, Special Sovereign Award (1988), Lord Derby Award, Palmer Award for Meritorious Service to Racing Eclipse Award of Merit (2003) Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame |
Richard L. "Dick" Duchossois (pronounced DUCH-ah-swah) (born October 7, 1921) is an American businessman and racehorse owner. He was the founder and Chairman of The Duchossois Group, Inc., a family-owned company headquartered in Elmhurst, Illinois that is known for its ownership stakes in Arlington Park and Churchill Downs race tracks, as well as for rail car and defense manufacturing.
Duchossois graduated from Morgan Park Military Academy and attended Washington and Lee University, before starting active military service during World War II.
He served in five European campaigns, including Normandy where he was a commander with the 610th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He served as the military governor for the region of Eichstätt and attained the rank of Major before he was released from active service in 1946. He received a Purple Heart for his injuries in combat at the Moselle River.
He married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Thrall.
His son Craig J. Duchossois is Chief Executive Officer of The Duchossois Group, Inc. and serves as Chairman of the Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy.
Richard Duchossois joined Thrall Car Manufacturing Company after World War II and became CEO in 1952. In 1980, the firm purchased Chamberlain Manufacturing Corp., with Duchossois becoming its Chairman. At the same time, he retained the chairmanship of the parent company, but appointed his son as CEO.
In 1983, as Chairman of renamed Duchossois Industries (DII), he purchased Arlington Park Race Track. In 2000, Arlington Park merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated, where DII has several seats on the Board of Directors.
He also owned Des Moines TV Station KDSM-TV (formerly KCBR-TV) from 1983 to 1991.
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