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
Died8 February 2008 (aged 57)
Tasmania, Australia
OccupationRetail entrepreneur
Known forfounding retail chain Chickenfeed
FamilyEngel Sypkes (father)

Biography

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Sypkes 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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Good fortune well spent". The Mercury. 11 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008. [dead link]
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