August 29, 2009 On a retail level, he was in many respects to the recreational vehicle industry what Ray Kroc was to the hamburger
— not its inventor but clearly one of its greatest marketers. In the process of building the nation’s largest recreational vehicle dealership, Raper brought considerable fame to Richmond. People far and wide held fond memories of traveling to Richmond to purchase a recreational vehicle. That business savvy brought deserved riches to Raper, who sold the RV business that still bears his name and retired to Florida. But he never forgot his hometown or his sense of philanthropy. Raper has bequeathed $2.17 million to Indiana University East, the largest ever gift to the local university that arose from community effort and fundraising. The contribution will assure IU East’s growth continues, and we can only hope it produces graduates who combine Raper’s cunning sense of business with an unfaltering passion and loyalty to the community.
Roses, Tom Raper, roses.