Robert A. Grimm dies at 54
Robert A. Grimm dies at 54
Robert A. Grimm, co-founder of Grimmway Enterprises Inc. in Bakersfield, CA, and the current president of the operation, died Friday, March 17 of a massive heart attack. He was 54 years old.
Mr. Grimm apparently had been having heart trouble, according to company spokesperson Jeff Green, who spoke of the issue in an obituary published Saturday, March 18 in the Bakersfield Californian. Mr. Green also announced that company Vice President Jeff Meger, Mr. Grimm's nephew, would take over the presidency of the firm. Mr. Meger was appointed vice president after Bob Grimm's brother and partner, Rod Grimm, died in 1998 from cancer.
"While Bob's death was unexpected, it was not unplanned for," Mr. Green was quoted as saying. "Although you can't replace Bob, we will continue his vision for the family- owned company to grow and prosper and be a place for the Grimm children to work and manage."
The business, with some 6,000 employees and contractors, is privately owned by the families of Bob Grimm and Barbara Grimm-Marshall. The operation, the world's largest producer of carrots, includes fresh packing and processing facilities. The firm was founded in 1971 as a relatively small carrot grower-shipper in a fairly crowded field. But largely through acquisition, Grimmway Enterprises grew over the years to the dominant position it now holds.
Rod Grimm began the family farming operation in Orange County, growing and packing sweet corn in the late 1960s. But as Bob joined his brother in the business, they soon saw an opportunity in carrots and moved to Kern County to become carrot growers and shippers. Grimmway Enterprises was officially founded in 1971. The company gradually grew larger until it was the top company in the business and held a dominant position. The firm is largely credited with popularizing the baby carrot and the value-added dominance of that product in the carrot category. In an interview with this reporter many years ago, Bob Grimm remembered that when he and his brother got into the carrot business, there were 29 shippers in the business and they were number 29 in size and longevity. A quarter century later, they were No. 1, and only a handful of competitors still existed.
Mr. Grimm was a very active member of the produce industry, serving in numerous organizations including the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, Western Growers Assocation and the California Carrot Advisory Board. He served as WGA chairman of the board in 1998 and was currently on the board, a position he held for the past 12 years.
He was also well known for his quiet activism in California politics. In 2004, Grimmway Enterprises was one of the major financial backers of a proposed workers' compensation ballot initiative that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used in negotiating a compromise bill with the California Legislature. Gov. Schwarzenegger often credited the initiative with helping him reach the landmark agreement, and has used that political model throughout his term of office. In fact, Gov. Schwarzenegger is currently working with California business interests, including Grimmway Enterprises, to oppose another ballot initiative dealing with workers' compensation.
Those who knew Bob Grimm remembered him as an overly generous man of his time and money who was devoted to his family and his church. WGA President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif said, "As you all know, Bob was one of the finest men many of us have ever known. He was close to God and lived his faith each day. Although extraordinarily successful, his treasure was his family. Ever humble, thoughtful and loving, Bob cared for the less fortunate. He was compassionate, polite and respectful of everyone."
Company spokesman Mr. Green told the local paper, "What made Bob special as a boss was that as an employee, you were part of the Grimm extended family. You didn't work for a corporation, you worked for Bob. Every employee had an opportunity to talk with the owner face to face."
Mr. Grimm earned a bachelor's degree from California State University-Fullerton. He helped Grimmway develop the Qualified Through Verification program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Grimmway Farms was the nation's first major produce company to be permitted to affix the USDA-approved label to its products.
Mr. Grimm's father, Herbert Edward Grimm, died in late February at the age of 91. His survivors include his wife, Kari, and his children: Brandon, 24, Kellie, 21, Brett, 16, Chase, 13, and David, 10.
Mr. Grimm apparently had been having heart trouble, according to company spokesperson Jeff Green, who spoke of the issue in an obituary published Saturday, March 18 in the Bakersfield Californian. Mr. Green also announced that company Vice President Jeff Meger, Mr. Grimm's nephew, would take over the presidency of the firm. Mr. Meger was appointed vice president after Bob Grimm's brother and partner, Rod Grimm, died in 1998 from cancer.
"While Bob's death was unexpected, it was not unplanned for," Mr. Green was quoted as saying. "Although you can't replace Bob, we will continue his vision for the family- owned company to grow and prosper and be a place for the Grimm children to work and manage."
The business, with some 6,000 employees and contractors, is privately owned by the families of Bob Grimm and Barbara Grimm-Marshall. The operation, the world's largest producer of carrots, includes fresh packing and processing facilities. The firm was founded in 1971 as a relatively small carrot grower-shipper in a fairly crowded field. But largely through acquisition, Grimmway Enterprises grew over the years to the dominant position it now holds.
Rod Grimm began the family farming operation in Orange County, growing and packing sweet corn in the late 1960s. But as Bob joined his brother in the business, they soon saw an opportunity in carrots and moved to Kern County to become carrot growers and shippers. Grimmway Enterprises was officially founded in 1971. The company gradually grew larger until it was the top company in the business and held a dominant position. The firm is largely credited with popularizing the baby carrot and the value-added dominance of that product in the carrot category. In an interview with this reporter many years ago, Bob Grimm remembered that when he and his brother got into the carrot business, there were 29 shippers in the business and they were number 29 in size and longevity. A quarter century later, they were No. 1, and only a handful of competitors still existed.
Mr. Grimm was a very active member of the produce industry, serving in numerous organizations including the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, Western Growers Assocation and the California Carrot Advisory Board. He served as WGA chairman of the board in 1998 and was currently on the board, a position he held for the past 12 years.
He was also well known for his quiet activism in California politics. In 2004, Grimmway Enterprises was one of the major financial backers of a proposed workers' compensation ballot initiative that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used in negotiating a compromise bill with the California Legislature. Gov. Schwarzenegger often credited the initiative with helping him reach the landmark agreement, and has used that political model throughout his term of office. In fact, Gov. Schwarzenegger is currently working with California business interests, including Grimmway Enterprises, to oppose another ballot initiative dealing with workers' compensation.
Those who knew Bob Grimm remembered him as an overly generous man of his time and money who was devoted to his family and his church. WGA President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif said, "As you all know, Bob was one of the finest men many of us have ever known. He was close to God and lived his faith each day. Although extraordinarily successful, his treasure was his family. Ever humble, thoughtful and loving, Bob cared for the less fortunate. He was compassionate, polite and respectful of everyone."
Company spokesman Mr. Green told the local paper, "What made Bob special as a boss was that as an employee, you were part of the Grimm extended family. You didn't work for a corporation, you worked for Bob. Every employee had an opportunity to talk with the owner face to face."
Mr. Grimm earned a bachelor's degree from California State University-Fullerton. He helped Grimmway develop the Qualified Through Verification program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Grimmway Farms was the nation's first major produce company to be permitted to affix the USDA-approved label to its products.
Mr. Grimm's father, Herbert Edward Grimm, died in late February at the age of 91. His survivors include his wife, Kari, and his children: Brandon, 24, Kellie, 21, Brett, 16, Chase, 13, and David, 10.
