Obituaries
Obituary: C. Joseph Genster, marketer of Metrecal, meal in a can for dieters, dies at 92
By Douglas Martin
The New York Times 2010-08-26
Obituary: Michael Batterberry, editor of Food Arts magazine, dies at 78
By Margalit Fox
The New York Times 2010-07-29
Obituary: Rose Gray, founder, chef at London's River Cafe
By William Grimes
The New York Times 2010-03-02
Obituary: Norman Borlaug
Norman Borlaug, self-described 'corn-fed, country-bred Iowa boy,' who won Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for efforts to feed world's hungry, dies at 95. Agricultural scientist also spoke out for equitable distribution of world's food, about threat of unchecked population growth. He supported using agricultural biotechnology, frequently criticizing environmentalists. And: His later years (click 'See also') were partly occupied by arguments over social, environmental consequences of his 'Green Revolution.' Critics said it displaced smaller farmers, encouraged over-reliance on chemicals and paved way for greater corporate control of agriculture.
By Jerry Perkins
The Des Moines Register 2009-09-13
Obituary: Sheila Lukins
Sheila Lukins, who brought big, sophisticated flavors from accessible ingredients to home cooks, dies at 66. She was co-author with Julee Roso of 'The Silver Palate Cookbook,' and author of others, as well as longtime food editor at Parade magazine. And: Breakfast strata, with bold delicacy of prosciutto, arugula and pesto, was example of her talent; she liberated us from single cuisine (click 'See also').
By Julia Moskin
The New York Times 2009-08-31
Obituary: Ron Rivera, clean water advocate
Ron Rivera, potter and aid worker who brought ingenious water filter to 1.5 million and cut potentially lethal incidences of contamination in half, died in Nigeria of malaria. Bronx native set up workshops, factory microenterprises worldwide. And: The potter and his pots (click 'See also').
By William Grimes
The New York Times 2008-09-14
Obituary: Paul Newman
Paul Newman, actor, racer, salad-dressing maker and philanthropist, dies at 83. Using 'shameless exploitation in pursuit of the common good,' Newman's Own products also included popcorn, salsas, pasta sauces, marinades and lemonade - and $250 million in donations to hundreds of groups. And: In 2006, he and a chef opened a restaurant (click 'See also').
By Lynn Smith
Los Angeles Times 2008-09-27
Obituary: JR Simplot
JR Simplot, frozen french fry developer who struck a deal with Ray Kroc and saw his business grow with nation's appetite for fast food, dies at 99 in Boise. The family was ranked in 2007 at No. 89 on the Forbes magazine's list of the 400 richest Americans, with an estimated wealth of $3.6 billion; their land holdings are about twice the size of Delaware.
The Associated Press; The Salt Lake Tribune 2008-05-27
Obituary: Robert Mondavi
Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley vintner who put California Cabernet and Chardonnay onto wine map, dies at 94. A bold innovator, he put his wines up against French vintages in blind tastings and championed the use of oak barrels and other techniques that have become industry standards.
BBC News 2008-05-17
Obituary: Paul Haeberlin
Paul Haeberlin, French chef who founded L'Auberge de l'Ill, in Illhaeusern, France, and master of classical cuisine, dies at 84. His grandparents founded a small country inn which was known for its pastries; as a teenager, he apprenticed in Paris. The restaurant, under the direction of his son, Marc, for the last decade, celebrated 40 unbroken years of three-star status since 1967.
The Associated Press; International Herald-Tribune 2008-05-11
Obituary: Irvine Robbins
Ice cream impresario Irvine Robbins, co-founder of the flavor-a-day ice cream store, Baskin-Robbins, dies at 90. Family member says he always came home for family dinner, loved Jamoca Almond Fudge, and that he encouraged his employees to eat as much ice cream as they wanted. That way, he figured they wouldn't have to steal it.
By Casey McNerthney
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) 2008-05-07
Obituary: Al Copeland
Founder of the Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken chain, Al Copeland, dies at 64. After dabbling in doughnuts and admiring Kentucky Fried Chicken, New Orleans native found spicy chicken recipe was key to his success.
The Associated Press; Los Angeles Times 2008-03-23
Obituary: Earl Butz
Earl L. Butz, former agriculture secretary who engineered legislation sharply reducing federal subsidies for farmers, has died at 98. Serving under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, he advocated a free-market policy, encouraging farmers to produce more and to sell surplus overseas. Democrats in Congress saw him supporting corporate agricultural interests over small farmers and consumers.
By Richard Goldstein
The New York Times 2008-02-04
King of corn dies
Francis Childs, who set world records for non-irrigated corn yields - one, in 2002, was 442 bushels per acre - has died. He was known as Iowa's "Corn King" and was celebrated by the National Corn Growers Association.
By Emily Klein
Telegraph-Herald (IA) 2008-01-12
Kozy Shack founder dies
Vincent Gruppuso, creator of rice pudding with a cult following, dies at 67, from complications of diabetes. He began his company, Kozy Shack Enterprises, after tasting a creamy rice pudding at a Brooklyn deli in the mid-'60s. Eventually he bought the recipe and began production in 1967.
By Dennis Hevesi
The New York Times 2008-01-12
Died: Vincent DeDomenico
The creator of Rice-A-Roni, a mix of vermicelli, macaroni and flavorings that millions of Americans came to know by its advertising slogan as "The San Francisco Treat," though it was based on an Armenian recipe.
By Adam Tanner
Reuters 2007-10-22
Obituary:
Alfred Peet, 87, who helped us wake up and smell the gourmet coffee.
By Patricia Sullivan
Washington Post 0000-00-00