FARGO, ND — William “Bill” Leonard Matthaei, chair of the Roman Meal Co. and Dakota Specialty Enterprises, Roman Meal Co.’s parent company, passed away June 5. He was 77 years old.
Matthaei enjoyed a long career with Roman Meal, where he represented the fourth generation of the Matthaei family baking legacy in the US for more than 40 years.
He was instrumental in helping the business transition to milling and blending. Today, the Matthaei family of companies includes Dakota Specialty Milling, Dakota Blenders and Roman Meal International.
Matthaei was an active member of the American Bakers Association, Rotary International and several conservation organizations.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington and completed a year of graduate study in cereal science at North Dakota State University before serving as an officer in the US Navy at a command in Iceland.
He is survived by his wife Joan, children Elizabeth (Dan) and Peter (Crystal), and five grandchildren.
Celebrations of life for Matthaei will be held June 18 at Prairie Heights Community Church in Fargo, ND, at 2 p.m. and June 29 at Praise Covenant Church in Tacoma, WA, at 11 a.m.
