PMA notes passing of Bob Backovich
PMA notes passing of Bob Backovich
NEWARK, DE -- The Produce Marketing Association's current and past leaders joined together to note the death of Robert G. Backovich, a long-time retail produce veteran. Mr. Backovich died June 30 at the age of 76.
Mr. Backovich suffered from from a rare disease called Amyloidosis, a disorder marked by the deposition of amyloid in various organs and tissues of the body.
Mr. Backovich held a series of leadership positions with PMA throughout his career, ultimately leading up to his role as chairman of the board in 1987. In 1981, he served his first one-year term on PMA's board of directors and was named chairman of PMA's Nutritional Task Force. He served as convention chairman in 1985.
"Bob Backovich was one of the warmest people one could imagine," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in a July 3 statement. "He was an instinctive leader who spoke his mind and listened with care. He was a pioneer in marketing the nutritional benefits of produce and strongly believed in the power of a well-trained produce department workforce. Our community has lost one of its truly great leaders."
Mr. Backovich served Safeway Stores for nearly 40 years before retiring as vice president of produce and floral in 1993. His produce career began in his family's wholesale and retail firm before leading him to Safeway, where he worked his way up from a produce clerk and department manager to a vice president.
In addition to a successful career in produce, Mr. Backovich also served the U.S Marine Corps from 1949 to 1952, earning a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.
Mr. Backovich and his wife of 35 years, Melanie, retired to the Carlsbad, CA, area, and both attended PMA's convention and exposition in San Diego in 2006.
Mr. Backovich is survived by his wife, Melanie; a daughter by a previous marriage, Jackie Currin, and her husband, John; a brother, Nick; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Another brother, Pete, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held July 10 at 11 a.m. PST at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlsbad, CA. Burial will follow at Eternal Hill Memorial Park in Oceanside, CA. A reception will be held following the burial service at St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish Hall.
Mr. Backovich suffered from from a rare disease called Amyloidosis, a disorder marked by the deposition of amyloid in various organs and tissues of the body.
Mr. Backovich held a series of leadership positions with PMA throughout his career, ultimately leading up to his role as chairman of the board in 1987. In 1981, he served his first one-year term on PMA's board of directors and was named chairman of PMA's Nutritional Task Force. He served as convention chairman in 1985.
"Bob Backovich was one of the warmest people one could imagine," PMA President Bryan Silbermann said in a July 3 statement. "He was an instinctive leader who spoke his mind and listened with care. He was a pioneer in marketing the nutritional benefits of produce and strongly believed in the power of a well-trained produce department workforce. Our community has lost one of its truly great leaders."
Mr. Backovich served Safeway Stores for nearly 40 years before retiring as vice president of produce and floral in 1993. His produce career began in his family's wholesale and retail firm before leading him to Safeway, where he worked his way up from a produce clerk and department manager to a vice president.
In addition to a successful career in produce, Mr. Backovich also served the U.S Marine Corps from 1949 to 1952, earning a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.
Mr. Backovich and his wife of 35 years, Melanie, retired to the Carlsbad, CA, area, and both attended PMA's convention and exposition in San Diego in 2006.
Mr. Backovich is survived by his wife, Melanie; a daughter by a previous marriage, Jackie Currin, and her husband, John; a brother, Nick; seven grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Another brother, Pete, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held July 10 at 11 a.m. PST at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlsbad, CA. Burial will follow at Eternal Hill Memorial Park in Oceanside, CA. A reception will be held following the burial service at St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish Hall.
