LARRY SHIEDELER, inventor of the original lightweight backpack vacuum passed away peacefully at 79.
It’s hard to know where to start when saying goodbye to a man like Larry Shideler. Recognized as a prolific innovator, inventor, and businessman in the commercial cleaning industry, Larry developed the original lightweight backpack vacuum in his garage in 1983. And from his stroke of genius, ProTeam was born in the late 1980s. Larry led the company for more than twenty years, was Chairman of the Board at ProTeam, and is widely regarded to have developed the modern commercial backpack vacuum. Additionally, it was Larry’s ingenuity that brought us “Team Cleaning.”
Because of his creativity, the commercial cleaning landscape was forever changed for the better. Every iteration of Larry’s first backpack vacuum has made the lives of professional cleaners easier, more productive and more cost-effective. He revolutionized commercial cleaning, which started with a desire to improve people's lives with a more comfortable and durable vacuum.
But that’s only the businessman Larry Shideler. Those of us who worked with him, worked for him, and especially those fortunate to call Larry family or friend, knew all of him — and what a wonderful person to know.
Larry was nothing short of a beautiful human being. Fueled by quick wit and dry humor, he was funny, but Larry’s humor made you think. Sometimes, you might not get a joke until after he left the room. Larry always made a point to bring joy to others — he breathed life into all he met. Simply put, he loved people and valued relationships.
His deep love for family brought him to Eagle, Idaho, to be near his children and grandchildren. Larry collected classic cars, toured on motorcycles, and traveled the world with his life partner, Sharon. They were married for 58 years.
The cleaning industry lost a great man on August 31, 2023. And the world lost a man who brought love to all he met. Even in his passing, Larry’s light burns bright.
We will miss him, always love him, and do our best to continue the legacy of living well he began so many years ago.
