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Rudie Sypkes

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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)

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]

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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