Wenatchee businessman Gus Noyd dead at 73 [The Wenatchee World, Wash.]

Apr. 5--WENATCHEE -- Gus Noyd was known as a gentle, caring human being and a shrewd businessman. Noyd, 73, died at his home Friday in Mazatlan, Mexico.

His three adult children, Mike, Bryan and Natalie, flew down to be with their mother Laura Jean on Saturday, the day their parents were planning to fly to Wenatchee to spend Easter with their eight grandchildren. They said their father died suddenly, probably from a cardiac problem. Gus and Laura Jean Noyd have spent much of their time in Mexico since Gus retired from the family insurance business in 2001.

Noyd owned Noyd & Noyd Insurance Agency for more than 40 years. During that time he served terms as president of the Washington Association of Independent Insurance Agents, president of the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce, was on the YMCA Board of Directors and held several positions with the Wenatchee Downtown Rotary Club, a group he belonged to for nearly 50 years.

In 1999, the Noyds built new offices and sold the old Noyd and Ogan buildings they owned on Mission Street and Orondo Avenue to the YMCA and the city of Wenatchee for a parking lot. He then donated about $350,000 from that sale back to the YMCA, said Eric Nelson, YMCA executive director.

"Gus and Laura Jean were largely responsible for the YMCA remaining downtown," Nelson said this morning. "He had a reputation as a tough businessman, but he was always very good to the YMCA. I thoroughly enjoyed knowing him."

"He was brilliant and generous and quietly so," said his daughter-in-law, Jennifer. "As a businessman, he was very good at advocating for clients and educating insurance companies. He was an excellent mentor to his kids and a humble human being."

"He was a kind man who took the time to be interested in everyone he met," said his son Bryan Noyd, who was in Mexico with brother Mike this morning.

"He loved being with his grandchildren and would fly them down to Mexico often to be with them," said Mike Noyd.

The family will have a celebration of life on the beach at Mazatlan with Gus and Laura Jean's many friends tonight.

Funeral arrangements in Wenatchee will be arranged at a later date.

Rick Steigmeyer: 664-7151

[email protected]

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