Michigan
Michigan legend in pickle industry Robert Vlasic dies at 96
A Michigan legend within the pickle business Robert J. Vlasic died peacefully of pure causes at his residence Sunday. He was 96.
Robert expanded his household’s east facet Detroit meals enterprise right into a nationwide model after changing into normal supervisor of the Vlasic operation after World Struggle II.
Robert opened Vlasic’s first plant in Imlay Metropolis, Michigan and over the following 20 years, Robert and his father Joe grew Vlasic into America’s primary pickle, based on Vlasic’s web site. The enterprise was began by Frank Vlasic, Robert’s grandfather, who moved to America from Poland in 1912. Again then he made cheese—not pickles.
The Vlasics performed an necessary position in shaping American consuming habits with their glass-packed pickles. In 1933, per capita, pickle consumption was 2.09 kilos. By 1974, consumption grew to eight kilos, based on the corporate, which grew to become so profitable at pickles that they dropped milk and cheese solely.
Robert Vlasic, the daddy of 5 sons, bought the corporate to Campbell Soup in 1978 for $33 million, based on a funeral residence obituary. He joined the board of administrators and served as its chairman from 1988 to 1993.
“He all the time remained an entrepreneur at coronary heart, founding expertise corporations and different ventures, whereas additionally taking management roles on the boards of Henry Ford Hospital and Cranbrook Academic Group, and as a member of the finance council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit,” the obituary reads.
Even together with his many tasks, Robert embraced being together with his household. He met his spouse Nancy Reuter after serving in the USA Navy they usually have been married on November 11, 1950, for practically 66 years.
Robert contributed a lot of his success within the meals business to having Nancy by his facet. She handed in 2016.
Robert donated $5 million to Henry Ford Well being to honor Nancy after she handed. The present was acknowledged by way of the naming of The Nancy Vlasic Skyway, which connects the Brigitte Harris Most cancers Pavilion and Henry Ford Hospital over West Grand Boulevard.
“Robert liked touring, taking part in golf, and internet hosting particular events and holidays for his household and associates,” the obituary reads. “Above all, he had a ardour for contributing his skills and expertise to serving to others. Robert was an enthusiastic supporter of many charitable causes, notably ones associated to training, well being care and his Catholic religion.”
Visitation is from 4 p.m. till a 7 p.m. prayer service on Could 27 at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Dwelling, 32515 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak.
View the obituary and share reminiscences at AJDesmond.com.