Leon Gorman, the 80-year old grandson of L.L.Bean and longtime CEO of the company, died Thursday at his home in Yarmouth, ME, the Associated Press reported. He was president and CEO from 1967 to 2001, chairman from 2001 to 2013, and chairman emeritus from 2013 until his death.

Gorman had been suffering with cancer for several months, according to the report. “He was a boss, mentor, coach, community leader, dear friend and inspiration. Most importantly, he was the most decent human being you would ever want to meet. We will miss him greatly,” said Chris McCormick, the company's current president and CEO.

Gorman is credited with a major overhaul of his family's company, transforming it from a catalog company with a single store and 100 employees into a retailer with more than 5,000 employees and sales of more than $1.5 billion. An extensive bio by the Portland Press Herald is here.

L..L. Bean's website home page included an homage to him (below).

L.L.Bean's bio of Gorman follows:

Leon A. Gorman, Chairman Emeritus, L.L.Bean, Inc.

(1934-2015)

Leon A. Gorman was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, and raised in Yarmouth, Maine. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1956, and spent four years in the Navy before joining L.L.Bean, Inc., in 1961. He was appointed president of the company in 1967, following the death of his grandfather, L.L. Bean, who founded the company in 1912.

Soon after becoming president, Leon introduced the stakeholder concept, which clearly linked L.L.Bean's success as a business to key stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders, vendors, communities and the natural environment. In his 30 years as president, Leon Gorman led L.L.Bean from a $4.75 million catalog company to an over-one-billion-dollar multichannel enterprise. Leon firmly established L.L.Bean as a leader in the outdoors industry, offering high-quality equipment and apparel, backed by world-class service and guaranteed to last. In 2001, Leon Gorman was named Chairman of the Board, turning over his responsibilities as President and CEO to Christopher McCormick.

An outdoors enthusiast, Leon frequently tested the company's products on trips that have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, skiing Colorado's 10th Mountain Division Trail and cycling through New Zealand. Most notable was his ascent to Camp Three during the 1990 Mount Everest International Peace Climb, sponsored by L.L.Bean. Leon also enjoyed his favorite outdoor pursuits closer to home, including hiking the Camden Hills and Georges Highland Path in midcoast Maine, biking the carriage roads of Acadia National Park and grouse hunting and fly fishing in northern Maine.

Leon was inducted into the Direct Marketing Association Hall of Fame in 1992. He was a member of the 1997 Blue Ribbon Commission for the United States Postal Service, which was launched by the Postmaster General to address the future direction of the Postal Service. He was also a recipient of the USPS Partnership for Progress Award.

Leon played a significant role in the conservation community through both leadership and financial contributions. The organizations he was involved with include Maine Audubon, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, the Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Appalachian Mountain Club and Land for Maine's Future Board. He and his wife, Lisa, played a lead role in The Nature Conservancy's St. John River Project, the Appalachian Mountain Club's capital campaign and fundraising efforts by the Student Conservation Association. Leon also demonstrated his commitment to community through involvement in various national and state civic organizations, such as the Maine Community College Foundation's Leadership Council, Bowdoin College, the Casco Bay YMCA and the United Way.

Leon was a leader in public policy discussions about Maine's economy through his involvement in state organizations and initiatives. He served as co-chair of the Institute on the Maine Economy and as a member of the International Board of Governors' Maine Youth Apprenticeship Program. In 1997, he received the Navigator Award for Entrepreneur of the Year from the Maine Chamber of Commerce and Business Alliance. In 2001, the Maine Chamber of Commerce awarded Leon the Business Hall of Fame Award for compassion, courage and commitment in business leadership. Leon was active in and received numerous awards from various national and state civic and philanthropic organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Appalachian Mountain Club, Natural Resources Council of Maine, Boy Scouts of America, Preble Street and United Way. He also received the Presidential Award from the Portland, Maine, chapter of the NAACP. Leon also devoted his time to public education reform. He served on the campaign for the Maine Aspirations Foundation and Governor John Baldacci's Business Advisory Council. He received honorary degrees from Thomas College, Bates College, Wheaton College, Bowdoin College and the University of Southern Maine, and he was inducted into the Babson College Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs. Leon was selected to receive L.L.Bean's highest internal honor, the Bean's Best award, in 2001, in recognition of his significant contributions to the company as a leader and mentor.

In 2006, Leon wrote a book about his four decades of experience as the leader of L.L.Bean entitled L.L.Bean: The Making of an American Icon. The book gives a behind-the-scenes look at L.L.Bean's history and culture.

In 2010, Leon received Bowdoin College's highest honor, the Bowdoin Prize Award, which recognizes a distinctive contribution in a field of human endeavor, noting his distinguished career as a business leader, conservationist and philanthropist.

Leon served as Chairman of the Board from 2001 until 2013.