Longtime Alaska businessman Bob Penney dies at 90

Long-tenured Alaskan businessman Bob Penney has passed away at the age of 90. Penney was a major figure in the business and philanthropic landscape of Alaska for more than six decades, and his influence will be greatly missed.

An Anchorage native, Penney’s entrepreneurial career began in 1961 when he opened his first store in the state’s largest city. He subsequently developed and operated a number of retail outlets, including department stores, sporting goods stores, and electronics stores. Penney was also responsible for the construction of several shopping malls in the area.

In addition to his business acumen, Penney was also a generous philanthropist. He was a major benefactor of the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he established scholarships and endowments to support students. He also donated to numerous other organizations, contributing millions of dollars to support the arts, education, and social services in Alaska.

Penney was recognized with numerous awards throughout his life, including the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, the Alaska Museum of Natural History Honor Award, and the Alaska Federation of Natives’ Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the Alaska Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

His legacy of giving, tireless work ethic, and dedication to the people of Alaska will not soon be forgotten. Although Penney has left us, his memory will live on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched and whose dreams he helped to realize.

The passing of Bob Penney, a long-time Alaskan entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been met with much sorrow. Penney, a native of Anchorage, was a major player in the business and beneficent scenes of the state for over six decades, and his impact will be deeply missed.

Beginning in 1961, Penney established and operated a variety of retail stores, including department stores, sporting goods stores, and electronics stores. Moreover, he developed multiple shopping malls in the city. In addition to his entrepreneurial accomplishments, Penney additionally contributed millions of dollars to numerous organizations to support education, the arts, and social services in Alaska. He was a generous benefactor of the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he set up scholarship and endowment programs to aid students.

Penney was the recipient of manifold accolades, including the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, the Alaska Museum of Natural History Honor Award, and the Alaska Federation of Natives’ Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Alaska Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

The memory of Penney’s giving spirit, hard-working nature, and commitment to the people of Alaska will remain in the hearts of those he touched and whose dreams he helped to bring to fruition. His legacy will not soon be forgotten.