P U B L I S H E R ’ S D E S K
Obituary by
Ross Barnett:
It is with great
sadness that we
acknowledge the
passing of one of
the construction industries greatest
characters, and a founding Director
of Youngman Richardson & Co Ltd,
Bob Youngman. He was 90.
Born in Tauranga Bob served
his apprenticeship as a motor
mechanic in Ohakune immediately
after leaving school. In 1953 he
bought the motor repair business
and turned it into a Todd Motors
dealership selling David Brown
Tractors, Commer Trucks and
Hillman and Desoto cars.
In 1958 Bob moved to Palmerston
North and bought a Europa service
station which he subsequently sold
back to the company and in the
process took up a position with
them as a senior sales executive.
During his time in the Manawatu
Bob served a term as President
of the Palmerston North Junior
Chamber of commerce and
was also a national director of
Membership and Extension. In
1964 he became a JC Senator and
later an Associate Fellow of the NZ
Institute of Management. Bob also
served as a Justice of the Peace.
Following the acquisition of Europa
by BP in 1972 he accepted the
position of sales & marketing
director with Richardson McCabe
which also lead to a seat on the
board. The move also culminated
in the start of a lifelong friendship
and business relationship with Tim
Richardson.
Richardson McCabe was subject
to several takeover bids before
finally being sold to Tappenden
Motors and then Ceramco. This
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INDUSTRY
ICON LEAVES
LASTING
LEGACY
Sure there’s metal and machinery, but in any industry
such as engineering it’s the people that you will find at
the backbone. Recently one of the founding directors Bob
Youngman of Youngman Richardson passed away.
Here Ross Barnett passes the words that an industry
reiterates towards colleagues, friends and family – Greg
Robertson, editor.
provided an opportunity for a new
venture which resulted in Bob and
Tim pooling their resources and
taking the bold step of founding
Youngman Richardson & Co Ltd
in 1981 with a staff of three. The
company’s initial master distributor
appointments of note were Robin
engines and Denyo generators.
Forty years ago he was also
involved with others in the setting
up of the Hire Industry Association
of New Zealand (HIANZ). At the
inaugural meeting Bob came
the rescue of the chairman, who
seeing him out of his depth offered
to take over. In doing so Bob set
in motion the start of one of the
country’s largest business associations.
Bob will certainly be missed but
his legacy will live on through
Youngman Richardson and Co Ltd,
a company that goes from strength
to strength supplying an extensive
range of equipment to the construction
and hire sectors. Today
the company has a total staff of
75 and represents 23 international
brands.
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