Rudy Perpich

“Rudy” Perpich (June 27, 1928–September 21, 1995) was an American dentist and politician. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, he served as the 34th and 36th governor of Minnesota from December 29, 1976 to January 4, 1979, and from January 3, 1983 to January 7, 1991. This was the longest tenure among the state's governors. He was also the state's only Roman Catholic governor and the only one to serve non-consecutive terms.

Early life and education

Rudolph George Prpić was born in Carson Lake, Minnesota, which is now part of Hibbing, Minnesota. His father, Anton Prpić, was a miner who had immigrated from Croatia to the Mesabi Iron Range of Minnesota, and his mother was an American of Croatian descent. Perpich did not learn to speak English until at least first grade of elementary school. In 1946, he graduated from Hibbing High School (where he was inaugurated as governor in 1983) and went on to serve in the United States Army for two years. After Army service, Perpich attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from the Marquette University Dental School in 1954. He returned to Hibbing to practice dentistry.

Related Topics:
Hibbing, Minnesota - Croatia - Mesabi Iron Range - Minnesota - Croatian descent - 1946 - Marquette University - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 1954

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