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Stephen G. Sheetz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1948-01-07)January 7, 1948 Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 2026(2026-01-04) (aged 77) Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Penn State University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | President & CEO of Sheetz |
| Spouse | Nancy |
| Children | 2 |
Stephen G. Sheetz (January 7, 1948 – January 4, 2026) was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was President and CEO of the Sheetz convenience store chain.
Early life and education
Sheetz was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on January 7, 1948. He graduated from Altoona High School and then later from Penn State University in 1969.[1]
Career
Sheetz's brother Bob had founded the chain in 1952 by purchasing one of his father's dairy stores in Altoona. Steve Sheetz was hired part-time by his brother in 1961. He joined the business full time as general manager in 1969, when the chain had three stores. Together they plotted to expand the chain, targeting seven stores by 1972. In fact, by 1972 they had opened 14 stores. Then, in 1973, they added gas pumps, the first self-serve gasoline in central Pennsylvania.[2]
As of 1983, the chain had 100 stores. Stephen Sheetz became President and CEO of Sheetz in 1984 when his brother Bob retired.[3][2]
In 1995, Steve Sheetz became board president when his nephew, Stan Sheetz, became president of the company.[4][5] In 2013, Stan Sheetz became chair of the board and Stephen Sheetz's nephew Joe S. Sheetz became president and CEO.[2]
Over the course of his life, Sheetz donated significant amounts of money to Penn State Altoona, establishing the Sheetz Fellows Program and the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence.[6][7]
Personal life
Sheetz and his wife, Nancy, had two daughters.[8]
Sheetz died at UPMC Altoona on January 4, 2026, at the age of 77, due to pneumonia while fighting a long-term leukemia diagnosis.[9][8][10]
Further reading
- Womack, Kenneth (November 25, 2013). Made to Order: The Sheetz Story. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-4242-9.
References
- ^ "Former Sheetz President and CEO passes away at 77". wdtv. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ a b c Ramadani, Veland; Memili, Esra; Palalić, Ramo; Chang, Erick P. C. (July 9, 2020). "Strategic Management in the Family Business". Entrepreneurial Family Businesses: Innovation, Governance, and Succession. Springer Nature. pp. 43–53. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-47778-3_3. ISBN 978-3-030-47778-3. PMC 7345573. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Baldi, Lillian (January 5, 2026). "Stephen G. Sheetz, Former Sheetz President and CEO Passes". Erie News Now. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Rudel, Neil (January 6, 2026). "Steve Sheetz, business leader and philanthropist, dies at age 77". The Express. Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Napsha, Joe (January 6, 2026). "Former convenience store CEO, expansion leader Steve Sheetz dies". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "Steve and Nancy Sheetz make new commitment to Penn State Altoona". Penn State University. March 20, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "Steve & Nancy Sheetz Give Park to Penn State Altoona". CSP Daily News. January 28, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ a b Vigdor, Neil (January 5, 2026). "Steve Sheetz, Who Popularized Convenience Stores as a C.E.O., Dies at 77". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
- ^ "Former Sheetz president and CEO Steve Sheetz dies at age 77 - CBS Pittsburgh". www.cbsnews.com. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Miller, Beth Ann. "Sheetz convenience store chain announces death of ex-CEO". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
