Industry veteran Hermanns dies at age 70

Bob Hermanns, a longtime supermarket industry executive who worked with several chains around the country, died on Monday in Long Beach, Calif. He was 70.

Hermanns spent over 50 years in the food industry, and for the past five years he was director of Food Industry Management Programs at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. He himself had graduated from the USC Food Industry Management Program in 1967.

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In his supermarket industry career, he held leadership roles with Jewel Food Stores in Chicago; Red Owl in Minneapolis; Lucky Stores in both Northern and Southern California; American Stores in Salt Lake City; Shopeaze.com in Santa Clara, Calif.; Weis Markets in Pennsylvania; Associated Grocers in Seattle; Encore & Associates in San Ramon, Calif.; and Park City Group in Park City, Utah.

Hermanns also served on the board of directors of the Western Association of Food Chains during his years with Lucky Stores and Associated Grocers.

Read more: Hermanns to run USC food program

He is survived by his wife and partner of 40 years, Carolyn, daughter and granddaughter, Stefanie and Sofia Stamires, and son Robert J. “Jeremy” Hermanns and daughter-in-law, Erika. Plans are under way for a memorial service and the family is establishing a foundation to accept donations in lieu of flowers.