A Pioneer of Precision Agriculture, Visionary Entrepreneur, and Devoted Philanthropist
Passed away peacefully early on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 after celebrating his 93rd birthday surrounded by family. His courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease coming to an end. Al had a date to make: his 70th anniversary with Mary Agnes on October 24th.
Al leaves behind a remarkable legacy that continues to shape the world of agriculture, improve farming technologies, as well as fostering education and research through his philanthropic contributions.
Born October 22, 1931, on a farm near Butler, Missouri during the Great Depression, Al’s humble beginnings laid the foundation for his lifelong passion for farming. His early exposure to soil, crops, and farm life never left him, despite a career that would see him build a global agricultural enterprise from its base in Minnesota. 1954 was a big year for Al, he earned his bachelor’s degree as an Army ROTC graduate in agriculture from the University of Missouri and married the love of his life, Mary Agnes in Frankfurt, Indiana. Following graduation, he served as a pilot in the U.S. Army. A visit to southern Minnesota in 1958 sparked a love for the state that eventually led him and Mary Agnes to settle in Edina, Minnesota.
In 1963, with just $6,000, Al founded Ag-Chem Equipment Co. Inc. Over the course of 37 years, he grew it from a small shop into a NASDAQ-listed leader in the manufacturing of innovative agricultural equipment.
Under his leadership, Ag-Chem developed two iconic lines, Terra- Gators and RoGators, revolutionizing the way farmers applied fertilizers and chemicals. His relentless pursuit of technological innovation led to the creation of precision agriculture tools, merging GPS, GIS software, and yield data to optimize crop growth—an approach that forever changed modern farming.
Al earned seven patents and a reputation for putting the farmer first. He believed in the power of technology to transform agriculture and was equally committed to ensuring customer satisfaction, which was a guiding principle in his company’s success. In 2000, Al sold Ag-Chem to AGCO Corporation, securing the future of the Jackson, Minnesota plant, which remains a key hub for farm equipment production today. Jackson Mayor Marcus Polz said of his passing: “Jackson lost an iconic member of its community!
Without his vision and leadership, the community of Jackson would not be what it is today.”
Even after selling Ag-Chem, Al continued to shape the future through his firm, QuinStar Investment Partners. He viewed the power of his investments as a means to fund philanthropic endeavors. McQuinn’s contributions went far beyond the fields. Dedicated advocates of education, Al and Mary Agnes shared support for the University of Minnesota, Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School, Columbia College, and the University Of Missouri where he received their highest honor: the Jefferson Club Golden Quill Alumni Excellence Award. They were longtime benefactors of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, funding the Alvin and Mary Agnes McQuinn Distinguished Chair in Arts and Sciences. Al also served on the board of trustees at St. Thomas, offering his wisdom and leadership to help guide the institution. Beyond St. Thomas, the McQuinn’s philanthropic pursuits included Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota Orchestra, various scholarship funds and many more organizations close to their hearts.
Though deeply committed to his work, Al’s greatest pride was his family. He shared 68 wonderful years with Mary Agnes. Together, they raised their family in Edina, instilling in their children the same values of hard work, humor, curiosity, and compassion that guided their own lives. Al and Mary Agnes believed firmly in sharing their love of education, art, science, culture and history with their grandchildren. Food was love in the McQuinn household: there was never an event, either family or corporate, where cuisine didn’t play an oversized role to Al.
Breakfast conversation was often facilitated by dinner plans. Al’s taste buds and executive mentality made him the perfect match to executive chef, Mary Agnes. Often food and flowers came from their own spectacularly maintained gardens, which drew in hosts of neighbors, tours and publications alike.
Al was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Agnes McQuinn, his son, Charles A. McQuinn, mother Marjorie Wood and brother Donnie (Janell) McQuinn. He is survived by his daughters, Anne E. McQuinn, Susan (Doug) Arndt, and Mary (Jim) Jetland; his grandchildren, Andrew (Sarah) Arndt, Edward (Katie) Arndt, Katie (Nick) Trevena, Joseph (Lauren) Jetland, Mary Grace Arndt, Brian Arndt, Lillian Schmitz, Silvia Schmitz, and Merriam Schmitz; eight great-grandchildren; his brother Morris (Reba) McQuinn; his brother-in-law Frank C. Starr (Jan Warrington); his amazing team of caregivers whose love, friendship and expertise provided the highest quality of care and comfort; and many other beloved family members and friends.
A visitation at 2:00 PM and memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM, with a reception to follow Friday, November 8, at The Chapel at The University of St. Thomas on Cleveland Avenue between Laurel Ave. & Ashland Ave., in St. Paul (map address is 2115 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105).
Limited parking is available in Frey Parking Ramp located off Cleveland Avenue just south of the Chapeland provides a tunnel directly to the Chapel. Horseshoe drop off is available directly in front of the Chapel. Street parking by city signage only. Please allow time to park.
Memorials may be given to the The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation’s Charles McQuinn Memorial Fund and the Minnesota- North Dakota Chapter of The Alzheimer’s Association. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996