A long career with Tom Lange Co. is coming to an end this summer for Bruce Rubin, who will retire from Tom Lange Co. at the end of August.

Rubin, who was born, raised and has always worked in St. Louis, was hired by company founder Tom Lange on Dec. 19, 1966 as Lange was just building his company from the headquarters in Springfield, IL, and the branch office in St. Louis.  Bruce Rubin

At the Tom Lange Co.’s 25th annual Charity Classic golf outing on June 27 in St. Louis, Rubin’s career was celebrated.

In a company press release, Rock Gumpert, Lange’s chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Over the years, Bruce has shown great leadership and has been instrumental in growing our Midwest division and offering his leadership savvy throughout the company. On behalf of all his fellow associates, we wish him well as he enjoys retirement.”  

One of Rubin’s favorite mottos is, “There was never a day I didn’t want to go to work.”

Rubin described the company founder, Tom Lange, as “very charismatic.” Lange’s original life plan was to be a radio disc jockey, which led him to major in journalism at Northwestern University. Instead, Lange landed in the produce industry. The firm has 37 produce and logistics offices across the country.At a United Fresh convention years ago were Tom Lange executives Mike Patton, Bruce Rubin, Hugh Seelbach, Eric Hoffmann, Jim Griswold, Bob Krueger and Rock Gumpert. ‘The joke was that people were always waiting for the time when Tom Lange himself would run,’ said a Tom Lange spokesperson. ‘He had the ‘uniform’ on, started the race, jumped in a cab and went to a bar, and was waiting for the rest of the crew at the finish line with a drink and a cigar.’

“He was creative. He was always thinking and very creative,” Rubin said of Lange. In 1966 Lange’s responsibilities were divided between the sales desk and the development of a growing company.

After five years with the company, Rubin accepted an offer to be a partner at H.R. Bushman & Son Corp. on the St. Louis Produce Market. Three years later, Tom Lange hired Rubin back to run the St. Louis office and there he will stay until his August retirement.  

“I served on the (St. Louis) market board for about 25 years, and acted as president of that board for the past 21.”

Why so long?

“I really enjoy working with all the folks down on Produce Row and the market board was a great way for me to represent Tom Lange Company to our clients, competitors and the community.”

Throughout his life, Rubin was part of St. Louis’ produce industry. “My father was the bookkeeper for United Fruit & Produce, so I grew up on the market,” he said.At a Tom Lange party in the late 1990s were Rock Gumpert, Dutch Gay, Bruce Rubin and Tom Lange. “My first paying job in the business was at a roadside stand owned by two men who eventually hired me into Tom Lange Company when I was 19.  

“I was just born into it,” he continued. “I always wanted to be in produce,” he said. “Tom Lange hired me to do the job I always wanted to do and gave me the freedom and guidance to learn how to do that job really well.  Growing up around Charlie Gallagher (the owner of United Fruit & Produce), when I got into the business, he always tried to teach me everything, wouldn’t let me ‘get by’ with anything and always had faith in me.”

Asked what he will miss the most in his retirement, Rubin noted, “I’ll miss the people, the camaraderie and friendships, but I know I’m leaving the Midwest division and M&M Marketing in the great hands of Jeff Moore and Dan Morrison. We built a great team here and I’m confident and comfortable that they have all the people in place for continued success.”

In retirement, “I plan to travel, play golf, read and spend lots of time with my wife and family.”

Asked to describe the funniest experience in his career, he responded, “That’s hard to do, none can be expressed on record! It’s the produce industry!”