Former Save Mart, United Grocers President Sprinkle Dies

PHOENIX — Funeral services are pending here for Chuck Sprinkle, former president of United Grocers and later of Save Mart Supermarkets. He died Monday from cancer at the age of 76.

Sprinkle spent 22 years early in his career with Dillon Co., Hutchinson, Kan., where he achieved the positions of vice president, retail operations, and later executive vice president. He left Dillon to become president and chief executive officer of United Grocers, Portland, Ore.

When UG was acquired by Fleming Cos. in 1984, Sprinkle was named corporate executive vice president, western region, for Fleming, and subsequently president of Fleming Foods West. In 1987 Sprinkle joined Modesto, Calif.-based Save Mart as president and chief operating officer — a position he held until he resigned in 1992.