- James Orthwein
James Busch Orthwein (
March 13 ,1924 —August 15 ,2008 ) was an Americanadvertising executive and great-grandson ofAnheuser-Busch founderAdolphus Busch . Orthwein owned theNew England Patriots from 1992-1993.Life and career
Orthwein graduated from the
Choate School inWallingford, Connecticut , fromWashington University in St. Louis , and joined his father's advertising firm in 1947.Marquard, Bryan (August 19, 2008). [http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2008/08/19/james_busch_orthwein_at_84_onetime_owner_of_patriots_who_set_stage_for_team_resurgence/ James Busch Orthwein, at 84; onetime owner of Patriots who set stage for team resurgence.] "Boston Globe "] Orthwein was was chairman and chief executive of the D’Arcy Advertising Company from 1970 to 1983. Orthwein took the advertising agency to the global stage merging with agencies in Detroit and London. In 1985, the St. Louis-based company then merged with Benton & Bowles of New York to formD'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles .Associated Press (August 21, 2008). [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/22/sports/football/22orthwein.html James Orthwein, 84, N.F.L. Owner, Dies.] "New York Times "]He purchased the New England Patriots from
Victor Kiam , when the latter was facing bankruptcy and owed him millions. During his ownership Orthwein hiredBill Parcells as head coach, who helped returned the moribund franchise back to respectability. He reportedly planned on relocating the Patriots franchise to St. Louis. The move never came to pass whenRobert Kraft took ownership in 1994.In 1997 he held 1.6 million shares in Anheuser-Busch, more than any other company insider with the exception of Chairman and President
August Busch III , who was Orthwein's first cousin.Manning, Margie (December 19, 1997). [http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/1997/12/22/story1.html Orthwein cuts A-B holdings.] "St. Louis Business Journal"]For 35 years, Orthwein was
Master of Foxhounds at Bridlespur Hunt Club and he was a member of the Missouri Horseman's Hall of Fame. He helped raise more than $1-million for horse show related charities.Lhotka, William C. (August 16, 2008). [http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/rams/story/780AFD0660C58E9E862574A70077B376?OpenDocument Former NFL owner James Busch Orthwein dies.] "St. Louis Post-Dispatch "]Orthwein died of
cancer at his home inHuntleigh, Missouri .References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
