Obituary

Robert "Ted" Young, 73, died February 28, 2024, of an apparent heart attack while doing what he loved most — working in his maple sugar woods.

Ted was born July 31, 1950, to Robert and June (Cook) Young who predeceased him. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Rebecca (Houston) Young; their children Sarah Young-Xu of Haverhill, NH, her husband Yinong, and their children Leili and Luke; Tello Young of Irasburg and his children Jacob, Tyler, and Justin; and Joshua Young of West Glover and his children Madison and Trent. He is also survived by his brother Jim Young and his wife, Pat, his sister Jeannine Young, and his sister Margaret Brewster and her husband, Ray, along with their families. Ted loved his family dearly and treasured his seven grandchildren.

Ted grew up in West Glover on the family farm. He attended Craftsbury Academy and graduated in the first class of Lake Region in 1968. He graduated cum laude from UVM with majors in Animal Science and Agricultural Economics. After college, he and Rebecca farmed with his parents and later in partnership with Mark Rodgers. Always a positive person, after a life-threatening accident in 1993, Ted became even more grateful for every day he had. He filled those days with meaningful work and spending time with the people he loved. Ted was a pillar of the Glover and farming communities. He served as a lister for the town of Glover for 45 years. He was active in several agricultural associations, serving as a director for the Cabot Coop, Yankee Farm Credit, and Orleans County Maple Sugar Producers Association boards. Despite the challenges of dairy farming, he and Rebecca continued his parents' family farm and improved the land and business until selling it in 2011. He and Mark were named Vermont Dairy Farmers of the Year in 1996. After selling the dairy farm, Ted and Rebecca remained avid sugar makers, earning many blue ribbons that attest to their dedication to quality and consistency.

After retiring from farming, Ted had more time to enjoy his hobbies: reading, improving the woodland, and travel. Though too numerous to mention, adventures included China, Peru, the Galapagos, and Italy, among many others. Perhaps their favorite trip was walking the Coast Path in Cornwall, England, with their daughter.

Ted once said anytime he wanted to talk to his father, he just had to go to the woods and sit on a stump. We will similarly know where to find Ted ­­— he'll be there in our hearts or out in the woods at peace, grateful for the life he had and the people he loved.

A memorial service will be held at the United Church of Craftsbury at Craftsbury Common on March 16 at 11 a.m. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Glover Ambulance, 48 County Road, West Glover, VT 05875, or the Orleans County Maple Producers Scholarship Fund (OCMPA), c/o Donna Young, 843 Wayeeses Drive, Morgan, VT 05853.