Robert (Bob) Lee Vermeer, 78, Pella, Iowa, died Aug. 17, 2022. Vermeer, and his brother, Stan, and sister, Mary, grew up on a family farm near Pella, where their father, Gary, founded and built Vermeer, a manufacturer of industrial and agricultural machines, including trenchers.
He joined Vermeer in 1974 and held multiple roles that drove the business strategy and long-term growth of the company, serving as CEO starting in 1989 and later as co-CEO in 2003 alongside his sister, Mary. He also served as the company’s board chair from 1989 through 2014. It was during his tenure that the business grew to more than 60 countries on six continents with hundreds of dealers around the world. On the family side, he was a leader in promoting succession planning to transition the business to future generations of the Vermeer family. In addition, Vermeer served as president of the Vermeer Charitable Foundation.
He is survived by his wife, Lois; children, Daniel, Heidi and Allison and their spouses; nine grandchildren; siblings, Stan and Alma Vermeer and Mary and Dale Andringa; and many nieces and nephews.