the millionaire who left his money and company to 700 employees was *Bob Moore, the founder of Bob’s Red Mill – a natural foods company. Moore passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the age of 94. He had transferred the full ownership of his company to his employees in 2010, through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) initiated on his 81st birthday. He wanted to avoid conventional business models that prioritized profits over people, and instead, he wanted to reward his loyal and hardworking staff. He also wanted to preserve his legacy and the integrity of his products, which were made from whole grains and natural ingredients.
Moore’s entrepreneurial journey was unconventional and inspiring. He started with humble beginnings, such as running gas stations, managing stores at JCPenney, and owning a goat farm with his late wife Charlee. In 1968, he read a book about a man who restored a family grain mill, and he decided to do the same. He sourced 19th-century millstones and established his own mill in Redding, California, at the age of 49. He was passionate about preserving the quality and nutrition of grains, and he refused to use conventional processing methods that stripped away the bran and germ. He also experimented with different types of grains, such as quinoa, amaranth, and teff, and introduced them to the American market.
Under Moore’s leadership, Bob’s Red Mill flourished and expanded its reach to over 70 countries. The company achieved revenue exceeding $100 million by 2018. Moore was also generous and philanthropic, donating millions of dollars to various causes, such as education, health, and environmental protection. He was widely respected and admired by his employees, customers, and peers. He was described as a visionary, a pioneer, and a legend in the natural foods industry.
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