MN: Retiree shoots self accidentally, dies

October 19, 2010

Retiree shoots self accidentally, dies

The newly retired president of a longtime Minneapolis business accidentally shot and killed himself while hunting in western Minnesota, authorities said Monday.

Kent M. Bank, who was president and CEO of Minneapolis Washer and Stamping Inc. until July, went out alone Saturday afternoon to hunt for pheasant in Swan Lake Township and was reported missing by fellow hunters about 7:20 p.m., according to the Stevens County Sheriff's Office.

Bank, 68, was found dead by authorities about an hour later with a shotgun wound to the abdomen.

"It appears that the shot came from his own gun," said Sheriff Randy Willis, based on his office's preliminary findings. "He stumbled or something, then it discharged."

An autopsy is pending.

Saturday was the opening day of pheasant hunting season in Minnesota.

"He's been a lifelong hunter in general, but pheasant hunting was his favorite," said Chris Bank, who succeeded his father in the business this summer.

The younger Bank said his father first took him hunting and they've been regular hunting partners ever since, but not on this outing.

"He was an instrumental guy as far as hunter safety," Chris Bank said. "He was a guy who took all the right steps."

This time, however, something went wrong while Kent Bank was out by himself "kicking for pheasants" near the Nyroca hunt club, the son said.

Minneapolis Washer and Stamping Inc., a maker of washers, shims and stampings, was started in 1934. It currently operates out of its 44,000-square-foot building at 1501 West River Road, along the Mississippi River.

Its website describes the business as the nation's largest washer specialist west of the Mississippi, employing 26 people and with annual revenue of about $5 million.

Kent Bank took over the business in 1968 from his father, founder E.C. Bank. It moved to its West River Road site in 1977.

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