In Memoriam: Gary Vermeer

Gary Vermeer, founder and chairman emeritus of Vermeer Corp. in Pella, Iowa, passed away on Feb. 2, 2009. He was 90 years old.

Vermeer and his cousin started the business in 1948 after inventing a wagon hoist design to unload corn. Demand for the labor-saving device from his neighbors prompted him to start Vermeer Manufacturing Co.

From that operation, the company has grown over the past 60 years to an international organization that manufactures agricultural, construction, environmental and industry equipment. Today, Vermeer Corp. has industrial dealerships in more than 60 countries in addition to hundreds of agricultural equipment dealers throughout the United States.

The company’s corporate offices and manufacturing facility in Pella, Iowa, cover 1.5 million square feet under one roof. That includes seven manufacturing plants, a parts distribution center and the Global Pavilion. Two of Gary Vermeer’s children, Robert Vermeer and Mary Vermeer Andringa, now serve as co-chief executive officers of Vermeer Corp. Three of his grandchildren are also active in the company.

Under Gary Vermeer’s guidance, the company’s product portfolio has grown to include more than 100 product models, including a recent line of Vermeer Navigator horizontal directional drills and many other products in its four product segments: forage management, specialty excavation, environmental transformation and underground installation.

In addition to contributions to manufacturing, Gary Vermeer was also an active philanthropist. The company started the Vermeer Charitable Foundation in 1958, and over the years, the foundation has contributed to many local and worldwide projects, including scholarship funds, building projects, disaster relief and others.

In addition to being active in his church and community, Gary Vermeer also served on many area boards and was recognized with several awards, including the Pella Community Service Award in 1977 and was named Iowa Inventor of the Year in 1984.

Gary Vermeer is survived by his wife, Matilda, and three children and their spouses, Stanley and Alma Vermeer, Robert and Lois Vermeer, and Mary and Dale Andringa, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

More information, including funeral arrangements and memorials, is available at www.garyvermeer.com.