Bob Moore, the founder of Bob’s Red Mill – a natural foods company renowned for its commitment to whole grain products and employee well-being - died on Saturday at the age of 94 leaving his entire company to his 700+ employees.
Moore had already relinquished ownership in 2010, establishing an employee stock ownership plan for his then 209 staffers on his 81st birthday. The company, which grew to 700 employees by April 2020, became 100% employee-owned, much before Moore passed.
Moore's journey began running gas stations, managing stores at JCPenney and owning a goat farm in Sacramento with his wife Charlee, who died a few years earlier.
In 1968, Moore stumbled upon the story of "John Goffe’s Mill," and inspired by the narrative of restoring a family grain mill, he sourced 19th-century millstones and established an operational mill on the outskirts of Redding, California. He was 49 then.
By 1978, Bob's Red Mill assumed its recognizable form, showcasing Moore's commitment to the simplicity of processing grains. His philosophy centered on maintaining the integrity of the grain, without removing essential components like bran or germ, in stark contrast to prevailing industry practices.
Moore’s company flourished, reaching over 70 countries and boasting a revenue exceeding $100 million by 2018, according to Forbes.
In an interview with Forbes in 2018, Moore expressed his deep attachment to Bob's Red Mill, stating, "It’s an absolute dream come true." Despite numerous offers to sell, he stood firm, emphasizing, "You can’t build what I’ve built and be really stupid." Moore became a millionaire after he turned 50 and transferred the company slowly to his employees.
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He retired in 2018 but remained a board member of the company until his death.
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