Baking industry veteran Peter Genau dies at age 79

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Baking industry veteran Peter Genau dies at age 79

8 Sep 2021

Liz Goodwin

Liz Goodwin is a Texas-born journalist and photographer. Although a Southerner at heart, she fell in love with the Midwest at the University of Missouri where she earned her bachelor's of journalism. When she’s not writing or behind a camera, she loves to cook, find new restaurants, and spend time outside. Her favorite baked goods include croissants and crackers, especially when topped with fig jam and brie.

ORINDA, CA – Peter Genau, a beloved baking industry veteran, died on August 27. He was a vibrant member of the baking industry, to which he dedicated nearly six decades of service.

A mechanical engineering graduate, Genau began his career as a bakery mechanic in the 1960s for Field’s Bakery. He quickly worked his way up to chief engineer for several East Coast firms before eventually heading to California in 1976. BEW/Chubco Company then recruited him as head of engineering for all thermal equipment to design ovens and proofers.

After Chubco, Genau partnered with Dick Pulver and George Dunbar as lead engineer for Pulver Genau, Inc., located in Tracy, CA, where he designed and developed TurboTherm tunnel ovens and proofers, many of which are still in operation today.

In 2005, he joined The Henry Group to engineer and manufacture his oven and proofer designs. Genau’s prolific work included consultation on installation, setup, processing and baking around the world.

Genau never fully retired; his phone always rang with technical questions, even until the day he died. His colleagues and friends described Genau as a brilliant, passionate engineer who leaves the baking industry a legacy of inspiration.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marlena, and his three children, Randy, Mia and Chris, along with their families. His passion for family, cycling, hiking, the environment, automobiles, building, craftsmanship, wine, food, engineering and (oftentimes long-winded) technical debate was unrivaled.

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