Iowa manufacturer Vermeer passes away

Iowa manufacturing veteran Gary Vermeer, 90, died Feb. 2 in Pella, Iowa, where he kept his hand in farming for more than 60 years as his company grew into an international manufacturer of agricultural, construction, environmental and industrial equipment with dealerships in more than 60 countries. He is best-known for the invention of the company's round baler. He got his start in labor-saving devices with the invention of a wagon-hoist for unloading corn.