Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
WAHLERT, Robert C.
WAHLERT, Robert C. (St. Louis, MO, Apr. 23, 1913-May 30, 1994). Emeritus president and member of the board of FDL FOODS INC. Wahlert was a nephew of Harry WAHLERT who purchased the DUBUQUE PACKING COMPANY in 1931 and turned it from a regional supplier of meat into an international giant in the packing industry. Robert C. Wahlert retired from the Dubuque Packing Company in 1977 and was succeeded as chairman of the board by his son, Robert Henry WAHLERT.
Wahlert was honored in October 1971 by the Salvation Army with their first "Others" award for his meritorious and outstanding humanitarian service in the community. In December 1987, the Eastern Iowa National Society for Fund-raising Executives named him “philanthropist of the year.”
In 1988 Wahlert was named to the DUBUQUE BUSINESS HALL OF FAME. Active in fund-raising efforts for the United Way, Wahlert also supported the DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB, WAHLERT HIGH SCHOOL, the FINLEY HOSPITAL, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, and the YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.M.C.A.) and the YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (Y.W.C.A.).