Featured in Image Above: Brandy and Vance Ruggels
One of the great strengths of the banking industry in Kansas is the fact that many of our banks have remained under the leadership of the same family for many, many years. To recognize those families, the KBA created a special award – “A Century of Family Banking” – to be given to those banks where members of the same family have held leadership positions in their bank for a century or more.
This year we are honoring another distinguished Kansas bank and banking family – the Ruggels. In 1916, Evert “E.A.” Ruggels joined First National Bank in Natoma, KS, coming from the bank in Codell, KS. Shortly afterward, he was drafted into the Army and spent 1917-1918 at Fort Riley during World War I. He returned to the bank in 1919, and on July 1, 1920, was named active manager. E.A. would manage the bank until 1968. Those 48 years were filled with challenges and opportunities, and E.A. was up to the task. The bank survived and thrived under his leadership. During his tenure, the bank acquired the Natoma State Bank and the Paradise State Bank, survived the Great Depression, World War II, and successfully navigated many changes in the banking industry. His two sons, Paul and Frank, would join the bank in the 1950s to learn the family trade.
In 1968, E.A.’s son, Paul Ruggels, was elected President and CEO, filling the position upon his father’s retirement. Paul worked alongside his brother, Frank Ruggels, serving as President and CEO for the next 12 years. Paul was proud to have his wife and all four children work in various capacities at the bank. He oversaw the construction of the new bank building in 1979 and was Chairman of the Board when the bank opened its branch in Russell.
Frank passed away in 1984, and Frank’s wife, Barbara, and daughter, Grace, served as directors. Grace is still on the Board today.
In 1980, Paul retired due to health concerns and his wife, Thurlene Ruggels, was elected to replace him as President. The 1980s were a tremendous challenge for banks in rural Kansas, and like E.A., Thurlene was up for the task. She oversaw the opening of the bank’s branch in Russell, and the bank doubled in size under her leadership. She would serve as President and CEO for 21 years, retiring to serve as Chairman of the Board, where she currently serves. The KBA recognizes and awards her 50 years in banking and honors her commitment to the community and her family bank.
Upon Thurlene’s retirement in 2001, Vance Ruggels, son of Paul and Thurlene, was elected to serve as the new President and CEO. Vance continues in that role today. He has overseen much of the expansion into Russell and has overcome challenges in that new market. During his tenure, the bank has nearly tripled in size. His wife Deena and son Brady also fill prominent roles within the bank. Brady marks the fourth generation of Ruggels to serve Southwind Bank. Many things have changed throughout the past 100 years, but the Ruggels family would like to think that E.A. would be very proud to see what his family has done over the last 100 years.
From the time Evert Ruggels joined the bank in 1916 until today, the Ruggels family has provided extraordinary leadership in their community and the banking industry. Each generation has unselfishly donated their time and energies to the betterment of Kansas banking and the Kansas Bankers Association. For these exemplary efforts, we at the KBA are proud to present to the whole Ruggels family the Kansas Bankers Association’s “Century of Family Banking” Award.
