Dr. Pearse Lyons, whose Alltech was the title sponsor of the 2010 and 2014 World Equestrian Games, died March 8 due to an acute lung condition that developed during his recovery from heart surgery. He was 73.
Dr. Pearse Lyons. (Photo© by Nancy Jaffer)
The president and founder of Alltech, Dr. Lyons was a charismatic native of Ireland whose support for the 2010 WEG at the Kentucky Horse Park and the 2014 WEG in Normandy, France, made it possible for those global championships to be staged. His energy and enthusiasm enabled the WEGs to ride over the rough spots and become memorable competitions.
He also supported the National Horse Show when it moved from Syracuse, N.Y., to the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2011. Alltech became the show’s title sponsor, another example of Dr. Lyons’ commitment to equestrian sport.
Always showing a sparkle that was infectious, he made things happen with his can-do approach.
Alltech, started by Dr. Lyons and his wife, Deirdre, with $10,000, is a privately held, Kentucky-based company that brings in more than $1.5 billion in sales annually, nearly all of it from making nutritional supplements that go into animal feeds, although the company also has interests in brewing and distilling, crop science, and other areas.
“Dr. Lyons was a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the agriculture industry beginning with his innovative application of yeast technology in animal nutrition. From farm to field, from market to family dinner table, our world is immeasurably better because he was a man who never saw problems, only a challenge that had not yet been solved,” said Alric Blake, CEO and treasurer of Alltech. .
“He inspired everyone he met with his energy, enthusiasm and passionate belief in possibilities. He instilled that positivity in his people, more than 5,000 Alltech team members around the world. I am confident I speak on behalf of all of them when I say that we are deeply honored to have known and worked for such a great man. We will resolve to honor his legacy by deepening our commitment to his customers and all the innovative ideas he believed in so strongly.”
“We are all deeply saddened by my father’s passing,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, Pearse’s son and chairman and president of Alltech.
“He always focused on developing people, and he built an extraordinary team over the years. I know he had full confidence in his team to continue growing the company he built.
“He saw farther into the horizon than anyone in the industry, and we, as his team, are committed to delivering on the future he envisioned. He planted seeds that will produce a bountiful harvest for the world in the years to come.”
Expressions of sympathy, including memories and tributes, may be shared at alltech.com/pearselyons.
In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations to the Alltech ACE Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that funds a variety of philanthropic endeavours around the world from disaster relief to primary schools in Haiti. Donations may be made at alltech.com/pearselyons.
Funeral masses will be in Lexington March 17 and in Dublin in April. A special celebration of life will be held May 20 at the beginning of One: The Alltech Ideas Conference in Lexington.
Public visitation in Lexington will be on Friday, March 16. Arrangement details will be kept up to date on alltech.com/pearselyons.