Idaho potato industry loses Max Herbold
Idaho potato industry loses Max Herbold
BURLEY, ID -- Idaho potato pioneer Max Herbold, one of the founders of Idaho Potato Processors, died on his 91st birthday June 23 at Highland Estates care facility in Burley, ID.
According to Dennis Herbold, president of Max Herbold Inc., his father's passion "was the potato business and the many friends and associates he made along the way."
The elder Mr. Herbold came to Idaho with his parents and siblings when he was seven years old. Dennis Herbold explained that his grandfather, a harness maker in North Dakota, moved the family to Declo, ID, after a fire leveled the harness shop and Herbold home.
Albert and Marie started farming 40 acres, and Max and his brother and sister attended school in Declo.
"They grew up and graduated from high school in Declo, Mr. Herbold said. He added that Max's actual start in the potato industry was in 1935, when he became a potato buyer for Brooks-Gudmondson in Burley. The following year he joined his friend, Jack Simplot, at the J.R. Simplot Co. as a potato buyer and warehouse manager.
Four years later, he and Norma married in Rupert, and in 1945 Max left his position at Simplot to start his own business, Max Herbold Potatoes. In addition to the farming operation, Max was involved in real estate development and eventually owned several automobile dealerships in Rupert.
Another of his enterprises was Idaho Potato Processors, which he started with 14 other area businessmen. That company was ultimately purchased and incorporated into Ore Ida Foods and the H.J. Heinz Co., and today it is owned by McCain Foods USA. As the potato industry in Idaho evolved, Max Herbold remained involved until his retirement in 1979.
"He enjoyed traveling, fishing, bird hunting and an occasional round of golf, Mr. Herbold said of his father. "In his later years, he spent many hours playing cards with his buddies. He also loved to drop in and check on the current state of the potato business. Most of all, he enjoyed being around his family and friends.
Dennis Herbold became president of Max Herbold Inc. in 1979, and the company moved from its Rupert facility to Burley in 1995.
Mr. Herbold said that at one time, Max Herbold Inc. farmed 1,500 acres, but this has been reduced to 300 acres. Today the company packs for 20 to 25 regional growers within a 200-mile radius -- all within Idaho.
"We don't pack any potatoes other than Idaho, he said. Noting that the potato industry faces a number of difficult issues, Mr. Herbold said that the future of his company is "questionable.
He said, "If our industry doesn't come around and make it profitable, we'll look at other options.
When asked what his father might say about the current situation, Mr. Herbold replied, "Although he loved the potato industry, my guess is that he would want what's best for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Norma Gnemi Herbold, as well as his son Dennis of Rupert, ID, and his daughters Julie Matthews of Boise and Carol Prater of Twin Falls. Eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren also survive.
In addition, he is survived by many friends within the potato industry, including Jack Simplot.
Mr. Herbold was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Herbold, one brother and one sister. A funeral Mass was held on June 30, and burial was at Rupert Cemetery. The family suggests that those who wish to contribute in the name of Max Herbold may do so to the St. Nicholas Catholic School in Rupert, ID, or the Elks Rehabilitation Foundation in Boise.
According to Dennis Herbold, president of Max Herbold Inc., his father's passion "was the potato business and the many friends and associates he made along the way."
The elder Mr. Herbold came to Idaho with his parents and siblings when he was seven years old. Dennis Herbold explained that his grandfather, a harness maker in North Dakota, moved the family to Declo, ID, after a fire leveled the harness shop and Herbold home.
Albert and Marie started farming 40 acres, and Max and his brother and sister attended school in Declo.
"They grew up and graduated from high school in Declo, Mr. Herbold said. He added that Max's actual start in the potato industry was in 1935, when he became a potato buyer for Brooks-Gudmondson in Burley. The following year he joined his friend, Jack Simplot, at the J.R. Simplot Co. as a potato buyer and warehouse manager.
Four years later, he and Norma married in Rupert, and in 1945 Max left his position at Simplot to start his own business, Max Herbold Potatoes. In addition to the farming operation, Max was involved in real estate development and eventually owned several automobile dealerships in Rupert.
Another of his enterprises was Idaho Potato Processors, which he started with 14 other area businessmen. That company was ultimately purchased and incorporated into Ore Ida Foods and the H.J. Heinz Co., and today it is owned by McCain Foods USA. As the potato industry in Idaho evolved, Max Herbold remained involved until his retirement in 1979.
"He enjoyed traveling, fishing, bird hunting and an occasional round of golf, Mr. Herbold said of his father. "In his later years, he spent many hours playing cards with his buddies. He also loved to drop in and check on the current state of the potato business. Most of all, he enjoyed being around his family and friends.
Dennis Herbold became president of Max Herbold Inc. in 1979, and the company moved from its Rupert facility to Burley in 1995.
Mr. Herbold said that at one time, Max Herbold Inc. farmed 1,500 acres, but this has been reduced to 300 acres. Today the company packs for 20 to 25 regional growers within a 200-mile radius -- all within Idaho.
"We don't pack any potatoes other than Idaho, he said. Noting that the potato industry faces a number of difficult issues, Mr. Herbold said that the future of his company is "questionable.
He said, "If our industry doesn't come around and make it profitable, we'll look at other options.
When asked what his father might say about the current situation, Mr. Herbold replied, "Although he loved the potato industry, my guess is that he would want what's best for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Norma Gnemi Herbold, as well as his son Dennis of Rupert, ID, and his daughters Julie Matthews of Boise and Carol Prater of Twin Falls. Eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren also survive.
In addition, he is survived by many friends within the potato industry, including Jack Simplot.
Mr. Herbold was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marie Herbold, one brother and one sister. A funeral Mass was held on June 30, and burial was at Rupert Cemetery. The family suggests that those who wish to contribute in the name of Max Herbold may do so to the St. Nicholas Catholic School in Rupert, ID, or the Elks Rehabilitation Foundation in Boise.
