Fred Tobi, founder of Tampa brokerage, dead at 87
Fred Tobi, founder of Tampa brokerage, dead at 87
Frederick G. Tobi, who founded The Tobi Co. in Tampa, FL, and served as its president until retiring in 1986, died March 24. He was 87.
Mr. Tobi founded The Tobi Co., also known as Tobi Brokerage Co., in 1947 after retiring to Tampa following an esteemed career in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He soon made his mark in produce, receiving numerous industry awards, including the Apple Man of the Year Award in 1981, and Produce Man for All Seasons Award in 1986. He also served as a director of the Produce Marketing Association from 1979 to 1982. In 1968 and 1969, he served as chairman of the Brokerage Division of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, and was an advisory board member for United from 1970 to 1972. Mr. Tobi was also president of the International Apple Association in 1977-78.
Born in Jacksonville, FL, Mr. Tobi attended the University of Florida before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he received pilot's flight training. One of his instructors was Charles Lindbergh. He flew a P47 fighter plane in 99 missions in New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines. After his plane crashed on his 100th mission, he spent more than two years recovering in hospitals. He was awarded the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight and a Purple Heart.
"Dad was recognized internationally by his peers and as an outstanding person in the produce industry," Mr. Tobi's son, Joe, told The Produce News. "He retired from the business in 1986. He was a true people person, and always believed that to do well in the produce business, it required high integrity and trust. He always felt that the people he dealt with in the industry were good people. He had a lot of friends in the industry."
Mr. Tobi was known as a vibrant man who embraced life whole-heartedly. Everything he engaged in was done with enthusiasm, including his hobbies of golf, fishing, boating, woodworking and traveling. But his love for his family came before anything else.
He was scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 23, a member of the Dadaleans, Palma Ceia Country Club, the Centre Club, the University Club and Palma Ceia United Methodist Church.
Joe Tobi said that his father had recently undergone a thorough medical examination that showed he was in good health. He died in his sleep on March 24.
Mr. Tobi is survived by his wife of 55 years, Enola Newbold Cross; a daughter, Enola, and her husband, Ed Brown; a son, Joe, and his wife, Kristine, and their children, Steven, Sara and Spencer; and a cousin, George Tobi, and his wife, Norma.
A celebration of his life was held Saturday, March 29, at Palma Ceia United Methodist Church and was followed by interment at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, 51 Main St., Enterprise, FL, 32725.
Mr. Tobi founded The Tobi Co., also known as Tobi Brokerage Co., in 1947 after retiring to Tampa following an esteemed career in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He soon made his mark in produce, receiving numerous industry awards, including the Apple Man of the Year Award in 1981, and Produce Man for All Seasons Award in 1986. He also served as a director of the Produce Marketing Association from 1979 to 1982. In 1968 and 1969, he served as chairman of the Brokerage Division of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, and was an advisory board member for United from 1970 to 1972. Mr. Tobi was also president of the International Apple Association in 1977-78.
Born in Jacksonville, FL, Mr. Tobi attended the University of Florida before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he received pilot's flight training. One of his instructors was Charles Lindbergh. He flew a P47 fighter plane in 99 missions in New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies and the Philippines. After his plane crashed on his 100th mission, he spent more than two years recovering in hospitals. He was awarded the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight and a Purple Heart.
"Dad was recognized internationally by his peers and as an outstanding person in the produce industry," Mr. Tobi's son, Joe, told The Produce News. "He retired from the business in 1986. He was a true people person, and always believed that to do well in the produce business, it required high integrity and trust. He always felt that the people he dealt with in the industry were good people. He had a lot of friends in the industry."
Mr. Tobi was known as a vibrant man who embraced life whole-heartedly. Everything he engaged in was done with enthusiasm, including his hobbies of golf, fishing, boating, woodworking and traveling. But his love for his family came before anything else.
He was scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 23, a member of the Dadaleans, Palma Ceia Country Club, the Centre Club, the University Club and Palma Ceia United Methodist Church.
Joe Tobi said that his father had recently undergone a thorough medical examination that showed he was in good health. He died in his sleep on March 24.
Mr. Tobi is survived by his wife of 55 years, Enola Newbold Cross; a daughter, Enola, and her husband, Ed Brown; a son, Joe, and his wife, Kristine, and their children, Steven, Sara and Spencer; and a cousin, George Tobi, and his wife, Norma.
A celebration of his life was held Saturday, March 29, at Palma Ceia United Methodist Church and was followed by interment at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Florida United Methodist Children's Home, 51 Main St., Enterprise, FL, 32725.
