Douglas Dayton, first president of Target, dies from cancer

In 1967, Douglas Dayton, center, posed for a photo in a new Target store with Target senior vice president John Geisse, left, and store manager Clayton Burkstrand. (File photo)

Douglas Dayton, the first president of Target and a man committed to the improvement of the community, died Friday after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 88.

"He really cared about improving the lives of everyone," said Wendy Dayton, his wife of 16 years.

Dayton helped others through various organizations that focused on social justice, education, the arts and nature preservation, Wendy Dayton said.

He served as chair of the board for the YMCA, was a supporter of the University of Minnesota Raptor Center and worked on a 40-acre prairie restoration that he planned to give to the State of Minnesota as an easement, Wendy Dayton said.

Dayton was the uncle of Gov. Mark Dayton.

"My Uncle Doug was an extraordinary businessman, philanthropist and leader of our family," Gov. Dayton said. "I have cherished memories of our times together: duck and pheasant hunting in Heron Lake, serving on the board of a family business and discussing the latest political developments."

In 1961, Dayton left the Dayton's department stores to launch Target, where he served as the first president. He resigned from Dayton Hudson Corp. and the Target Corp. in 1971, saying he regarded his experience at Target as "the most challenging, rewarding and productive" of all the positions he held with Dayton Hudson, according to Pioneer Press archives.

"With his typical modesty, Doug didn't claim the public recognition he deserved for his success," Gov. Dayton said. "Yet what an

enormous difference his business acumen has made for thousands of Target employees, customers, and charitable causes."

Douglas Dayton opened and managed Dayton's first branch store in 1954 in Rochester, Minn., and served in various roles, including vice president of branch stores and merchandise vice president for Dayton's, according to the archive.

He was a graduate of the Blake School and Amherst College. He also served in the military.

Dayton and his wife were residing in Wayzata.

The youngest of five, Dayton is survived by his wife, Wendy Dayton, three sons, a stepdaughter and a brother, Bruce.

Source: http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_23612850/douglas-dayton-first-president-target-dies-from-cancer?source=rss

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