Richard Charles Yakel

Always a gentleman and great mentor

I heard of Dick's death last week at the annual SGIA Expo. Since I have been part of the 3M converting family for over 30 years, I asked around the 3M exhibit about Dick like he had never retired. I needed to share to the youth of the 3M booth of the innovators and all of our special mentors and legends of the 1960's and on, of how Dick was a significant coach to me, our family and the success of Vomela Specialty. Dick had class, he was Mr. Cool at 3M, he was proud and shared his global...

I first met Dick Yakel in 1976 when his daughter Mary Lynn was attending college in North Carolina. He was a gentleman, devoted to his family and his work. My sympathy to Mary Ann and his entire family. The time I spent with him remains a fond and powerful memory of a great man.

Our condolences to Mary Ann and the Yakel family.
Dick interviewed me in 1963 for a begining sales career. My wife Mary Jo and I recently sat around the dinner table and recounted the great times that we enjoyed with Dick and Mary Ann especially our first incentive trip to Great Harbor Key. Dick was truly a gentleman in everyway. I wish I had the opportunity to visit him in recent years.
Fred and Mary Jo Krohn

In 1966 Dick gave me the opportunity to join the 3M Decorative Products Department as a sales representative in the Chicago area. Later that year I transferred to the Detroit area as part of Dick's automotive OEM market sales team. Under Dick's sales and marketing leadership we quickly grew our automotive business base to become part of the 3M Decorative Products Division. Dick was a consumate professional in all aspects of his business endeavors. He was also highly regarded and respected...

In 1992 I was a business manager in 3M Canada and Dick was my key contact within the Commercial Graphics St Paul team. When I expressed a desire to take on a International assignment Dick Yakel was the individual who "went to bat" for me...and for that I will always be thankful. He was a great friend and mentor. I'm only sorry I did not get to visit with Dick since he retired.
Eldon Walker, London, Ontario, Canada

I was asked to take Dick to lunch in the 3M cafeteria on his first full day of work with the company. We later served together in a U.S.Army reserve outfit at Fort Snelling and went to summer camps at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Camp McCoy , WI .Though separated in 3M by geography and assignments we remained good friends through the years. He was a wonderful fellow and we shall not see his like again.

We're so sad to hear of Dick's passing. I worked with Dick at 3M from 1972 until his retirement. Dick was a key member of the first generation management team of the business unit that ultimately became the Commercial Graphics Division. The success of CG is largely due to his leadership especially in the area of international business development. He was the consumate professional 3M'er, a man of integrity, kindness and "class" . He was a good friend and mentor. I'm happy that he had a long...