Arnold “Arnie” Bockstruck, a third-generation jeweler of St. Paul’s historic Bockstruck Jewelers and an active community leader, died Monday. He was 91.

He was a leader in prominent local groups including the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce and St. Paul Rotary Club. He also served as the prime minister of the St. Paul Winter Carnival in 1955.

Often referred to as a St. Paul “mover and shaker” because of his influence, Bockstruck was born in St. Paul on Christmas Day 1927.

He graduated from Dartmouth College and then joined the Navy, where he was stationed in Honolulu. There he met his wife, Jessie Mary Roberts, underneath a banyan tree, which they would always visit when the two traveled back to Hawaii, said son Rob Bockstruck.

After the two married in California, they relocated to St. Paul so Bockstruck could take over the family business — Bockstruck Jewelers. Founded in 1883 in downtown St. Paul, Bockstruck Jewelers operated as “the place to be,” with many local brides registering for china, crystal and flatware wedding gifts.

As Bockstruck became civically involved in St. Paul, he also gained prominence nationwide. A member and past president of the American Gem Society, a group dedicated to jewelry-consumer protection, Bockstruck was given the Robert M. Shipley Award, the most prestigious honor for a AGS jeweler.

“St. Paul has truly lost an outstanding ambassador,” said daughter Betsy Bockstruck Erlien.

Bockstruck remained humble, according to many who knew him.

At large gatherings for family and friends, Bockstruck would almost always give a toast with the same introduction: “On this auspicious occasion, unaccustomed as I am to speaking to a group this size. …”

It always garnered a laugh from the crowd.

Since his death, many have reached out reminiscing and even quoting Bockstruck’s well-known preamble, Rob and wife Jane Bockstruck said.

Bockstruck was laid back and a great people person, said Bob Momsen, a friend Bockstruck met through the Chamber of Commerce more than 65 years ago.

Many people refer to Bockstruck as the perfect gentleman because he knew how to treat people.

“Looking back on his life, I don’t think he would have done it any differently,” Betsy Bockstruck said.

Bockstruck Jewelers eventually expanded from St. Paul to Minneapolis and Edina, but in 2006 closed all the stores as the retail environment changed. But the business lives on after Rob Bockstruck founded RH Bockstruck, an online diamond concierge service.

In addition to his children, Arnie Bockstruck is survived by his sister, Clarissa Cole; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Jessie Bockstruck died in 2011.

His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. Visitation will be one hour before the service.