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Apr. 12, 2012 McPherson (KS) Sentinel reports: He may not have founded Hesston, KS, but Lyle Yost helped build the community into what it is today. Yost died Thursday, his funeral will be Wednesday. In 1947 Yost founded Hesston Corp, which is now AGCO Corporation and one of the largest employers in Harvey County. He worked hard behind the scenes to help the small town grow - donating funds to the city and Hesston College. "Lyle meant so much to the community," said David Kauffman, mayor of Hesston. "More than any other individual, he contributed so much. Not only did he start the corporation and build it into a large employer, but he was also very philanthropic. ... It was something we were able to build our community on for a number of years." The 2011-12 academic year marked the 30th anniversary of Yost Center, Hesston College's main gymnasium, which was made possible by a major financial gift from the Yosts. In August 1981, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the 23,700 square foot facility. He also gave to his alma mater, Goshen College, and was instrumental in the construction of the Hesston Public Golf Course. "He wanted to build for the future," Susan Yost said. "As the town grew he wanted to be sure it would be a place people would be proud to live in." In his later years, his civic involvement slowed - but not because he lacked the passion for the Hesston Community. According to his daughter Susan, Lyle Yost chose to let a new generation get involved with community building. "I believe dad passed the torch," Susan Yost said. "He always said when hiring someone, to always look for someone that can do it better than you. The past few years he has been very pleased with everyone who has worked for the city - they have taken his pride in the city and carried the torch. He has been able to enjoy the fruits of his labor." He was also a family man -one his daughter will miss terribly. "He was a great guy," Susan Yost said. "We would laugh a lot, laugh and laugh and laugh. He was fun to be with and always wanted to do things and go places." She said because Lyle lived to be 99, she was able to get to know him as an adult -and know him well. "The longer you spend with someone, the more you know them," Susan Yost said. "It's like that old oak tree in the back yard, you will miss it when you cut it down. A lot of people have been touched by that oak tree. ... There is a big hole in my heart." Lyle was born on March 5, 1913, in a home northwest of Hesston, Kansas. He attended Goshen College in Goshen, Ind., where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Economics in 1937 and a teaching certificate in 1942. On July 31, 1938 he married Erma Martin. Lyle and Erma spent most of their lifetime in the Hesston area. In 1943, they moved to the family farm where his grandfather and father had lived, just north of Hesston. Upon his retirement, Lyle and Erma moved into the city of Hesston. He was the designer and inventor of the 1947 unloading auger, the catalyst for the development of Hesston Manufacturing/Hesston Corporation which was sold to AGCO in 1975. He also served as a Director of numerous institutions and corporations including the Fourth National Bank and Trust of Wichita, Hesston State Bank, Kansas Gas & Electric, Kansas Council on World Affairs, Management Research Development Institute, American Forage & Grassland Council, Gideons International, Kansas Development Credit Corporation, Farm and Industrial Equipment Institute (FIEI), Hertzler Foundation, Prince of Peace Chapel/Aspen, and Wesley Hospital Foundation. "His leadership, and his values as a Mennonite farmer were very appreciated" Kauffman said. "He did business the right way. He was a giant for us in our area." Tweet |
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