11/11/2022
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved founder, Robert D. Kern. Kern passed away on November 8, 2022, at the age of 96.
“Bob’s passing is a tremendous loss for the Generac family and the larger community,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, president and chief executive officer. “His forward-thinking vision laid the solid foundation for what Generac is today. I had the distinct honor of working with Bob for nearly 15 years, and he continued to serve as a mentor to me and to others well into his retirement. He was a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word as his work ethic, tenacity, and innovative spirit are the embodiment and the defining characteristics that live on in our Company today.”
In 1959, Kern started Generac with just five employees in a garage in Wales, Wisconsin. Generac was the first company to commercialize portable, engine-driven generator sets and the use of these technologies was expanded to other markets including permanently installed, emergency backup generators used to protect critical infrastructure, homes, and businesses around the globe.
Kern is survived by his three daughters, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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