Those members of the imaging industry who knew and loved Paul Youngberg have two things in common: the game of golf and humorous stories.
Youngberg, 77, passed away on Feb. 11 while on a long-planned trip to Florida with his wife Marilyn in their new motor home. He spent a lifetime in the sales game, nearly 60 years, most recently serving as vice president of business development for Ross International.
Raj Thadani, president of Mars International/Ross International, said that Youngberg’s tenacity was legendary; he was a persistent individual for whom “no” meant “yes” and a “definite no” meant a “strong maybe.” Outside of family and work, Thadani said Youngberg’s three passions were golf, his card file organizer and his stories, which friends never tired of hearing.
“Paul was a wonderful and thoughtful human being who deeply cared for people,” Thadani observed. “He was particularly known for remembering details about people he met, then following up with a focus on specific details.”
Thadani said that the Ross International/Mars International family is devastated by the loss of Youngberg, who left behind a legacy of excellence.
Youngberg was also a member of the Patriot Pack, a tight-knit band of motorcycle riders who helped raise funds for various organizations, including The Jillian Fund. The head of the Pack, longtime industry pro Mike Stramaglio, called Youngberg, “the quintessential old-style sales professional who always found a way to endear himself to all who knew him.”
When the Patriot Pack invited him to join the group, Youngberg was so thrilled that when he was called upon to sing the requisite song for membership, he belted out an impressive version of the National Anthem that surprised everyone. Blessed with an outstanding voice, Youngberg was known for his superior karaoke chops.
“Paul was a wonderful, relentless salesman who made you smile and shake your head at the same time,” Stramaglio noted. “He had the wisdom of experience and the spirit and curiosity of a child, certainly making him a kind and gracious man. He touched us all and we will remember ‘Berg’ forever and a day. Thank you, brother, and rest in peace.”
Ray Sparks, the CEO of Sparks Imaging, recalls the days they used to “compete for a decent slice of the IKON business pie.” Sparks would frequently run into Youngberg at presentations, where the reps would often leave behind tchotchkes—monogrammed pens, pads, calendars and golf balls—with the prospective clients.
Legendary for his love of the sport, Youngberg’s choice of leave-behinds was naturally a golf ball. But according to Sparks, the object looked more like a painted rock than a dimpled ball. Youngberg’s sales buddies flogged him relentlessly for it.
“It became a standard rib that whenever we saw Paul, we would ask if he had a few spare balls for us,” added Sparks, who logged many rounds of golf with Youngberg at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
Besides his wife, Youngberg is survived by three daughters, two step-daughters and 10 grandchildren. Donations in his memory can be made to The Jillian Fund or The Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
