Kurt Yost, president and CEO of the Nebraska Independent Community Bankers, passed away unexpectedly on October 29, from a complication of surgery. He was 70.
Yost had led the NICB for 34 years and was set to retire at the end of this year. He had planned to split his retirement between spending time with his 15 grandchildren and offering NICB lobbying services on a contract basis. A celebration of his career was planned as part of NICB’s annual convention, scheduled for Nov. 8-10.
Yost’s replacement Eric Hallman joined NICB on Oct. 1. Of his predecessor, Hallman said: “While his life ended far too soon, the example he set through his character, integrity and commitment will live forever in our hearts and minds.”
Yost had undergone a seven hour surgery at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln to replace a heart valve. It was a surgery Yost had undergone three years prior, according to Tracy Pickering, his longtime colleague at NICB. Pickering said Yost hadn’t felt well for months and had been on oxygen for the past two weeks. According to Pickering, Yost suffered from a rare infection, which was ultimately fatal.
Yost’s wife Marcia and their children were with him at the hospital.
“Kurt devoted his career to the betterment and success of Nebraska’s community banks and we all are indebted to him for his service, his tenacity, his persistence and his grace,” Hallman said. He asked the banking community in Nebraska and beyond to keep Yost’s family in their thoughts and prayers as they go through the coming days, weeks and months.