George “Bud” Youngberg passed away Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at age 92 in Atlanta, Ga..

He was born July 18, 1920, in Sioux Falls, S.D., the son of George E. Youngberg Sr. and Helen Mae (Gordon) Youngberg. In 1925 the family came to Venice. His father was an engineer for the BLE Realty Corporation, the company in charge of the development and construction of Venice. They resided here until 1929. His father, George Sr., later served as mayor of Venice from 1952 until 1954.

Upon graduating from high school in Richmond Va., George entered the Virginia Tech ROTC program and graduated with a B.S. in industrial engineering in 1943. After graduation, he married the former Helen Baird Hertel and entered the Army as a second lieutenant. George served during World War II in England, France and Germany in the 830th Aviation Engineering Battalion. In 1945, in Metz, France, he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism, rescuing an injured airman from a burning aircraft.

At the end of the war, George and Helen relocated to Rochester, N.Y., where he worked as an industrial engineer for Bausch-Lomb. Their first son, Philip, was born in 1947.

In January 1950, the family returned to Venice, to join his father, George Sr., and brother, Paul, in the construction business, Youngberg Construction. The company built numerous homes in Venice, as well as a number of public buildings, including the first Venice Hospital addition, the Venice-Nokomis Presbyterian Church and the Venice Women’s Club. They had three more sons, Gary, Kevin and Rick.

George later took over and operated Venice Millwork and Supply Inc., a custom cabinet company. He remained in the business for more than 30 years.

George served the community in many ways: as a member and past president of the Venice Stamp Club, a member and past president of the Venice Lions Club, a charter member of the Venice Elks Club, a member of the American Legion, a member and past president of the Antique Automobile Club, Venice Chapter, and a board member-at-large of the Venice Historical Society. He was a former board member of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce; served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and, more recently, served on the Historical Commission. George was presented with the Venice Legacy Award in 2008, on behalf of his father, for furthering Venice’s historical knowledge and preservation.

George had been a member of the Venice Presbyterian Church since 1957 and served as both elder and deacon. Recently, he helped assemble and compile an extensive archival history of the church. His wife, Helen, was a charter member of Venice Presbyterian and the only active charter member at the time of her death in 1994.

In June 2010, George moved to Atlanta to be closer to his boys. He is survived by his sons, Phil (Lyn), Gary, Kevin (Sally) and Rick (Candace); grandchildren, Ericka, Wendy, Cameron and Brian; and many nieces and nephews.

Services: A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. at Venice Presbyterian Church.

Contributions: Donations may be made to the charity of your choice. The family requests no flowers.