Bob Moore, Founder of Bob’s Red Mill, Dies at 94 – Vitamin Retailer Magazine

On Feb. 10, 2024, Bob Moore, founder of Bob’s Red Mill (Milwaukie, OR), died at his home in Oregon at age 94.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our Founder, Bob Moore, left this world today, February 10, 2024. He was 94 years old and full of the same love for wholesome foods as the day he founded Bob’s Red Mill,” the company wrote in a social media post. “Bob’s passion, ingenuity and respect for others will forever inspire the employee owners of Bob’s Red Mill, and we will carry on his legacy by bringing wholesome foods to people around the world. We will truly miss his energy and larger-than-life personality.”

Moore and his wife, Charlee, founded Bob’s Red Mill  in 1978. Moore was inspired to create healthier foods after his father’s death from a heart attack and his grandmother’s healthy eating obsession. He began experimenting with ancient stone flour mills to produce grain, a practice the company still maintains to this day.

At the time, Bob’s Red Mill produced whole wheat flour for local communities, eventually expanding to hundreds of products including baking mixes, cereals, beans, seeds, nuts, spices, oats and gluten-free grains. The products are available in more than 80 countries. The packaging is well-known for featuring an illustration of Moore.

In 2010, Moore established the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, official switching ownership to his employees. Today, more than 700 employee owners continue to carry on his legacy of “good food, teamwork and respect.”

Moore also co-founded the Moore Family Center at Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR) and the Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness at Oregon Health & Science University (Portland, OR).

Moore retired in 2018 after his wife’s death, but continued to serve on the company board until his own death.