Rudie Sypkes (20 May 1950 – 8 February 2008) was an Australian businessman from Tasmania. Sypkes was the co-founder of the Chickenfeed retail chain.[1]
Rudie Sypkes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rudie Sypkes 20 May 1950 Tasmania, Australia |
| Died | 8 February 2008 (aged 57) Tasmania, Australia |
| Occupation | Retail entrepreneur |
| Known for | founding retail chain Chickenfeed |
| Family | Engel Sypkes (father) |
Biography
editSypkes was born in Tasmania to immigrant parents from the Netherlands.[1] He began his business career by helping his father, Engel, found the Purity supermarket chain.[1] Sypkes later founded, with his brother, Peter launched the Chickenfeed Bargain Stores, a chain of discount retail stores located throughout Tasmania. They sold the Chickenfeed chain in 2001 for an estimated $35 million Australian dollars.[1] Sypkes often quietly contributed to philanthropic causes throughout Tasmania using his personal fortune.[2]
Sypkes revealed in July 2007 that he had been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and donated A$600,000 towards research into respiratory disease.[1] Sypkes died suddenly and unexpectedly at a hospital in Tasmania on 8 February 2008.[1] He had been on a waiting list for a lung transplant for nine months.[1] He was survived by his wife and three children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Mather, Anne (9 February 2008). "Rudie Sypkes' shock death". The Mercury. Archived from the original on 11 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
- ^ "Good fortune well spent". The Mercury. 11 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008. [dead link]
External links
edit- Chickenfeed Bargain Stores
- The Mercury: Rudie Sypkes' shock death
- Sunday Tasmanian: Sypkes quiet philanthropist
- The Mercury: Farewell to the discount doyen
- The Mercury: Good fortune well spent
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