MILWAUKIE, OR — Bob’s Red Mill announced that its founder, Bob Moore, passed away in his sleep on Feb. 10. He was 94 years old.
“Bob’s legacy will live on forever in all of us who had the opportunity to work with him and is infused into the Bob’s Red Mill brand,” said Trey Winthrop, CEO of Bob’s Red Mill. “He did everything in his power to leave us on a strong path forward. All of us feel responsible and motivated to preserve his old-world approach to unprocessed foods; his commitment to pure, high-quality ingredients; and his generosity to employee-owners and educational organizations focused on nutritional health.”
Moore established Bob’s Red Mill in 1978 and grew the company from a local brand to a major player in the natural foods industry with over 200 brands in more than 70 countries.
“Bob's legacy will live on forever in all of us who had the opportunity to work with him and is infused into the Bob's Red Mill brand.” — Trey Winthrop | CEO | Bob's Red Mill
In addition to growing the brand, Moore also established the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) on his 81st birthday in 2010. The move transferred ownership from Moore and his late wife Charlee, who passed in 2018, to the employees of Bob’s Red Mill. Today, there are more than 700 employee-owners.
The Moores are also remembered for their financial contributions to universities and research programs in Oregon. The couple provided funding for Oregon State University’s Moore Family Center for Whole Grain Foods, Nutrition, and Preventive Health in the College of Health and Human Sciences and contributed to the Bob and Charlee More Institute for Nutrition & Wellness at Oregon Health & Science University.
Moore is survived by his sons, Ken, Bob Jr. and David; daughters-in-law Dora, Barbara, Ashleigh and Terry; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service is in the works. Bob’s Red Mill invites guests to visit the Bob’s Red Mill Whole Grain Store in Milwaukee, to honor Moore.
