Costco co-founder dies suddenly

Jeff Brotman, co-founder of Costco Wholesale in 1983, died Tuesday. Jim Sinegal, who launched the first Costco with Brotman in 1983, told The Seattle Times that Brotman’s death came as a “complete shock for everyone.”

Brotman reportedly died in his sleep. In a short press release issued Tuesday, the Issaquah, Wash.-based warehouse club announced Brotman’s death with “great sadness.” Brotman served as chairman of the company since 1994.

Costco operates more than 700 wholesale warehouses across 11 countries and is well known for its Kirkland Signature private brand.