Dave Young
David R. Young, chief executive officer and co-founder of Whitewater, Wis.-based VyMaC Corp., died suddenly on July 15. He was 45. He was killed in an accident at a maintenance facility.
Young was a longtime industry member with an entrepreneurial spirit. From age 21, he owned and operated more than a dozen companies from coffee shops to real estate to mattress and medical pillow companies.
At his death, in addition to his leadership of mattress kit and component supplier VyMac, Young was managing member of VyMaC Ventures LLC, VyMaC Properties LLP, president of Ostermoor & Co. Inc. and owner of dpc LLC/Everloft Products. Previously, he was president and majority owner of franchiser Verlo Mattress Factory Stores LLC. He sold his interest in the company to Marcus Investments LLC in January.
Young was a dedicated and active member of the International Sleep Products Association for many years.
“This is a very sad day for all of us,” said ISPA President Ryan Trainer. “Dave Young was passionate about life and the mattress industry. Always willing to challenge the status quo, his company and this industry benefitted from his creativity and energy. Dave generously shared his enthusiasm and entrepreneur’s spirit with the industry and ISPA, volunteering to serve on the ISPA Board of Trustees, the Better Sleep Council, the Sleep Products Safety Council and the Events Planning Committee. He was also a pioneer in the mattress recycling arena, experimenting with different business models to solve this problem. Dave was a leader in this industry and a friend of ISPA. He will be sadly missed.”
Young was a driven and talented leader known for his integrity, a mentor to many and one who knew how to inspire excellence in those around him.
He was a loving, devoted husband, father, brother and son who enjoyed traveling and boating with his family.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Renee; children Cord, Chase and Chloe; his father David (Lannie) Young; brother James; nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Lou.
Visitation will be held 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 19, at Hasse-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home, 730 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn, Wis. The memorial service is 1 p.m., Friday, July 20, at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Scott McLeod officiating. More information is available at the funeral home’s website.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to an educational fund for Young’s children (The Young Children Memorial Fund) established at Peoples Bank, 837 N. Wisconsin St., Elkhorn, Wis. 53121.
