For 50 years, Larry Schugart served the Great Bend area both as a banker and a community leader. In banking, assets are normally defined in dollars and cents. Now retired from banking, Schugart is proof that tireless volunteerism, community involvement and leadership are all critical assets to the community.
“It has been my privilege as a banker and as a member of the Great Bend community to assist families with their financial needs, whether it be information on savings accounts, loans, or for any other financial advice,” said Schugart. “Our bank has always been proud of the caliber of employees we have in our 29 communities where we have branch offices. It has been my honor to work with such a great staff of individuals across the State of Kansas. As for involvement in community affairs, or being active in organizations in the banking industry, I have always believed it is an obligation to accept that responsibility”.
A graduate of Great Bend High School, Schugart attended St Mary of the Plains College on a basketball scholarship. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Schugart married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Krueger. They have four children, Brenda, Rhonda, Jeff and Rex, and 11 grandchildren, all of whom still live in Kansas.
Schugart began his banking career in 1963 at Peoples Savings & Loan Association as a teller. In 1971, he was promoted to Vice President/Branch Manager and a member of the Board of Directors. After a merger with First Federal of Dodge City, the organization became Landmark Federal Savings Association, and in 1985, Schugart was named President and Chief Executive Officer. Another merger with National Bank in Manhattan, Kansas, created Landmark National Bank, and Schugart was named Chairman of the Board.  In May, 2013, he retired from the Board of Directors.
Throughout his career, Schugart was extremely active in the community, including many leadership roles. He served as president of multiple organizations including the Great Bend Optimist Club, Panther Booster Club, Panther Parents, Cougar Booster Club, Catholic Social Service, St Patrick Elementary School Board, Golden Belt Red Cross, and Great Bend Ambassador Club. He served as Chairman of St Patrick Church, the Triple I Show, and Great Bend United Way. He is a past director of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. He was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Great Bend Jaycees, and was named a Kansas Jaycees “Outstanding Young Man’. He is a member of the Barton Community College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Schugart was also active in the banking industry, serving as a Chairman of the Kansas-Nebraska League of Savings Institutions, and a two-time Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka. He was also a member of the US League Governmental Affairs Committee. Retirement has not lessened Schugart’s desire to help the community. He still maintains an office in the Great Bend bank, where he manages his personal business investments, and his continued community involvement. He is still active in the Cougar Booster Club, Elks Lodge, Barton County Historical Society and Panther Booster Club.
Schugart’s greatest personal business achievement was taking the company from a mutual savings institution to a publicly traded company in March, 1994. Today, Landmark Bancorp, Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “LARK.” Headquartered in Manhattan, Kansas, Landmark National Bank is a community banking organization dedicated to providing quality financial and banking services.