Area mourns loss of Sukup Manufacturing founder

The Sheffield community bid farewell to a local legend last week.

Eugene George Sukup, founder of Sukup Manufacturing, was 89 years old when he passed away on Thursday, Jul 12. The Sukup Manufacturing website states that his wife of almost seven decades, Mary, was by his side until the end.

Iowa raised: Eugene’s early life

After moving to Iowa with his family at less than ten years old, Sukup grew up in Hansell, a small community just under 15 miles from Sheffield. A Hansell High School graduate, he was involved in FFA and 4H.

Eugene remained local even after starting his own family. He later lived on a farm near Dougherty with his wife, Mary, and two sons, Charles and Steven.

According to Sukup’s obituary, he is a National Guard veteran, having served as a sergeant for eight years.

Building an empire: Eugene and Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Sukup purchased his first grain bin in 1962. Just one year later, a small welding shop in Sheffield became home to the business that would later accumulate global recognition: Sukup Manufacturing Company.

Eugene’s start wasn’t without hiccups: according to Sukup’s history page, he sold five of his original stirring augers to a local bin dealers for $29 apiece, and only two had been purchased.

After renovating his design, Sukup patented an idea that would keep grain in bins from overheating and spoiling. The manufacturing of the Stirway stirring machine was the beginning steps of Sukup’s legacy.

As Eugene’s business expanded, his products diversified, eventually including dryers and grain bins themselves.

He led his company for 32 years, collecting over 80 U.S. patents along the way and multiple awards for his agricultural innovations.

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