Stanley Greenspan, a creative pioneer in the produce industry, died at his home in St. Louis, MO, on Wednesday, May 24. He was 77.

While still in school, Mr. Greenspan worked part time in his mother’s grocery store and sold watermelons on the street corner.  He opened and operated Bill Farmer Market for 20 years before selling it in 1980.  He and his partners also owned Baden Farmers Market for six years while he also worked as a produce buyer for independent grocery stores.Stanley Greenspan

In 1981, Mr. Greenspan became a full-time buyer and consultant for United Fruit & Produce.  At the same time, he was the buyer for Sappington Farmers Market, which his wife, Tessa, owned for 28 years until selling it to a group of investors.

Mr. Greenspan helped build United Fruit & Produce, where everyone called him “Coach”  until he left in 2007. His plan was to retire, but the produce business was his passion, and he decided to join Proffer Wholesale Produce in Park Hills, MO, as head buyer.  He managed buying and merchandising for Proffer, helping to grow it to become even more of a major wholesaler.

“He was one of a kind," said Bob Proffer. "He was my mentor and coach. I learned so much from him and we had fun every day. My favorite quote that he said to me every day [was], 'There are some people who watch things happen, there are those that wonder what happened, and then, there are those who make things happen.'"

“There are not many 'Old School' produce guys left that started from the rough, tough, gruff docks of our produce warehouses 60 years ago," said Missy Hardy of M&M Westcoast Produce, who worked with Mr. Greenspan for many years. "Stanley was one of those who absorbed and forgot nothing. With a quick mind, a hard outer shell, and the tenacity and willpower to succeed, he became one of the produce industry’s more memorable players.

"You hated him, liked him or a little of both, but no one would deny that he taught you something about the industry and pushed you to the limits," she said. "His brain was one that remembered everything and everyone and on rare occasions, he would spend hours talking about things other than produce. On those rare occasions you got to see the soft side under that tough exterior, and would wonder who was that guy?. It was then, that you would realize that the tougher he was on you, the more he respected you. To those who loved him and those he loved know, that he will be remembered in the produce industry as a quick-witted knowledgeable tough guy who loved to go toe to toe with others. And in doing so, he left his mark on us all."

Mr. Greenspan’s great loves were his family and the produce industry. He continued to work until the day he died.

He is survived by his wife, Tessa; son, Louis Stephen; daughter, Terri Lynn Arscott, and her husband, Peter; and grandsons, Brandon and Alex Arscott.

Funeral services were private. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 24, 1-5 p.m. at St. Louis City Center Hotel, 13th floor.  Donations may be made to Great Circle/Edgewood Children’s Center, 330 North Gore Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119. Flowers and condolences may be sent to his wife at 400 South 14th Street, suite 910, St. Louis, MO, 63103