JanSport co-founder and outdoor industry icon Skip Yowell passed away Wednesday, Oct. 13 at his home in Kansas at the age of 69 following an illness.
Yowell was an adventurous man whose hard work and perseverance allowed him to live a life working with people around the world – all in the name of the JanSport brand. He founded the company in 1967 in Seattle, Washington, along with his cousin Murray Pletz and seamstress Jan Lewis, to make backpacks people could depend on during their adventures in the great outdoors.
Yowell was involved with JanSport’s many product innovations, including the first dome tent, the waist suspension flexible frame pack, travel packs and panel-load packs. In 1979 he became a charter board member of what became the Outdoor Industry Association.
Today, JanSport is owned by VF Corporation and is the leading backpack brand globally.
While Yowell retired from JanSport in 2010, he continued to be a global ambassador for the brand at college campuses and other venues as well as assisting in the design of the Skip Yowell signature line of JanSport products.
“Skip was an inspiration to all as an outdoor industry pioneer and leader of the JanSport brand,” said Steve Munn, President of JanSport. “He will be missed greatly.”
Yowell’s commitment to product design and innovation never wavered, nor did his commitment to the greater Outdoor Industry. Yowell was a consummate champion for the lessons taught through the outdoors, serving on several boards, including the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and Big City Mountaineers, among others.
Funderal services are being arranged by Schmitt Funeral Home of Wakeeney, KS.
