 He learned to fly an airplane at age 16 and went on to serve in the United States Air Force, before attending the Pennsylvania State University.While a student at Penn State, Yenko started the school's first flying club, was president of the debating club, and a member of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity.In the 1950s and 1960s, Yenko gained international acclaim for racing Corvettes in regional races as well as prestigious endurance contests including 24 Hours of Le Mans.