Lake Forest Obituary: Bennet "Bots" Botsford Young, Jr.

The following obituary is courtesy of Wenban Funeral Home.

Bennet “Bots” Botsford Young, Jr. passed away, peacefully, in his sleep at his home in Lake Forest, Illinois, on Thursday, March 19, 2015. Bots was the adoring husband of 65 years to his “bride” Ann Young nee Treadway, proud father to Kent (Raina) Young, Terry (Roger) Vandewater and the late Tripp (Daphne) Young; loving older brother to the late Monty Young and caring brother-in-law to Chick Treadway. Bots relished his role as grandfather to Anthony, Kegan and Cooper Young, Sam and Ben Vandewater, and Courtney Young. Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 18, 1926 to Ruth Lasley Young and Bennet Botsford Young, Sr., Bots lived the majority of his life in Lake Forest, Illinois. He graduated from Governor’s Academy (‘45) where he was a three sport letterman in football, hockey and baseball. His leadership on the field and his natural athleticism resulted in Bots being inducted into Governor’s first Athletic Hall of Fame class, as well as a try-out with New York Yankees. After a brief stint in the USMC, Bots attended Dartmouth College, before beginning his successful 30-years sales career at Owens-Corning Fiberglass. Bots parlayed his athleticism into community service. He spent countless volunteer hours co-founding the Lake Forest Vikings ice hockey program, providing youth hockey for six age-levels of play from Mites to Juveniles. In addition, Bots was an active member and director of the Western Golf Association, and spent tireless efforts supporting the Evans Scholars Foundation.
As a child, Bots’ family vacationed at Eaton’s Ranch in Wolf, Wyoming. It was here his love for the west was born. Working at Eaton’s for seven summers, Bots met his future bride. The couple continued the Young family tradition taking their children and grandchildren to Wyoming for the next five decades. Bots was a cowboy at heart and teaching his grandkids to ride was one of his greatest joys.
Most of all, Bots will be remembered for his disarming manner and infectious giggle. He loved people and enjoyed making them laugh. Whether one knew Bots for 30 minutes or 30 years, he had a way of making everyone who crossed his path feel special. And it was 100% genuine. Bots was the real deal.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest in Lake Forest, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Evans Scholars Foundation, One Briar Road, Golf, IL 60029. Info: Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest. 847-234-0022 or www.info@wenbanfh.com