Russell deYoung; Former Head of Goodyear

Russell deYoung, 79, the former chairman of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. DeYoung served as chairman and chief executive officer of Goodyear from 1964 to 1973 and played a key role in developing the steel-studded snow tire. DeYoung joined the company, based in Akron, Ohio, in 1927. In the 1940s, DeYoung served as vice president of the Goodyear Aircraft Corp., presiding over the growth of the unit into one of the nation’s 10 largest wartime producers of airplanes. After the war, he was appointed to the parent company and in 1956 was named executive vice president. He was elected company president two years later. In 1973, DeYoung pleaded guilty on behalf of Goodyear--along with officers of several other companies--to making illegal contributions to the 1972 reelection campaign of former President Richard M. Nixon. He was fined $1,000. Tuesday in Naples, Fla., of apparent heart failure.