Value-added produce pioneer Pat McDowell was 75
Value-added produce pioneer Pat McDowell was 75
Pat McDowell, a longtime produce industry leader and early pioneer of value-added produce, died Friday, April 17. He was 75.
Mr. McDowell's career spanned over 45 years in Southern California. He was a huge advocate for the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, and he served many years on its board before and after his term serving as chairman in 2005.
He had a mental Roll-A-Dex of friends, and he could make things happen. He was like a bulldog when he was working on any given project, and he would follow up like no other sales rep. If there was an issue, Mr. McDowell was determined to repair it. He had situational intelligence that helped many in the produce industry.
“He was instrumental with the growth of our industry," said Rick Cruz. "I always cherished his friendship beyond our relationship in produce. He had a lot to do with my growth in my career.”
“Pat was my best friend, a brother and best man in my wedding," said Dan Spain. "I met Pat over 40 years ago remodeling a Vons Store. I knew after that long day of work he had a unique character, personality and many other traits that drew us together.”
Mr. McDowell was a decorated Marine, a side door gunner during the Vietnam war. He received two purple hearts and a Silver Star. He was also a strong supporter of the City of Hope for many decades.
Mr. McDowell was a unique man: if you were in his circle of friends, you knew that you were with a man of moral integrity. "He was a man that said it like it was," said Kevin Allen.
He would say God gave us two ears and one mouth. If you just listen, the customer will tell you what their needs are and exactly what they are looking for.
"Many of us have two or three friends that would drop anything to help you," said Allen. "Pat had two dozen friends, and he was the person that was one of our two or three! He would do anything for his friends. On his last days, he had countless calls to him. Not a person really knew he was having health problems. He only asked how you were doing or what he could do to help. To all of us reading this article, during these interesting times in our country and the world, let us all be a little more like Pat."
