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University of Pennsylvania

DONALD TOBER Obituary

TOBER--Donald G., beloved husband, admired philanthropist and successful business executive, chose to end his life today after facing the increasingly debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease. He would have been 90 years old in March. Donald was Chairman of Sugar Foods Corporation, whose team he saw as a second family. He served as former Chairman of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, Vice Chairman of the Culinary Institute of America and as a board member of the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association. He was a patron of associations that serve to elevate the quality and appreciation of food and wine, including of the Commanderie de Bordeaux and the Chevaliers du Tastevin and the Culinary Institute of America (where he was Trustee Emeritus). He was a founder and Honorary Board member of the Citymeals-on-Wheels program in New York City. Donald's contributions positively impacted a tremendous range of institutions beyond the food business. He served on the board of the New York Landmarks Conservancy and was honored in 2019 along with his wife Barbara as Living Landmarks. He also served on the board of the Manhattan Institute, the American Austrian Foundation for Medical Scholarship, the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (RID), the National Dance Institute with Jacques d'Amboise, and was a long-time supporter of Lincoln Center, the Philodoroi and Amati Societies of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), and The Juilliard School, to name only a few. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School, Donald practiced law in New York City before joining Sugar Foods Corporation. In 1973 he married Barbara Maud Starkey. It was not the first marriage for either and proved an unusually happy enduring union for both. A funeral for family only is scheduled. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Barbara Tober suggests donations in Donald's name to Landmarks Conservancy and Manhattan Institute.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Jan. 17, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for DONALD TOBER

36 Entries

Anne marie Tober

July 20, 2025

Sending my deepest condolences Barbara Tober . THAT day in 1997 when you called I wish I would of said yes maybe life would of been fun with yall in it !!

La Verne Tolbert

January 12, 2025

Dearest Barbara,
I think of you often with appreciation for encouraging and supporting me as beauty and health editor of Bride's all those years ago! I pray that in these years without your beloved husband you find comfort in God and with the people you love. Warmest Blessings! ~ La Verne Tolbert (Irving)

Frank

January 13, 2023

Don was a special man of remarkable talent and commitment. I remember vividly when he picked my wife and me up on a rainy night in Poughkeepsie after we hit a deer and totaled our car on our way to the farm. When we arrived at the farm he and Barbara sat us down in front of the fire with excellent cognac to settle our nerves. A special man with a special wife! Frank Fahrenkopf

BRANDON H STEELE

August 28, 2021

I think of you often. Your quite confidence and reassuring smile. I carry your teachings with me everyday.

See you soon.

Boo Grace

March 2, 2021

Wonderful caring gentleman.
Loved his beautiful wife Barbara with strength and passion
and devotion

Boo Grace

Planted Trees

Zarela Nartinez

February 16, 2021

I greatly admired Donald. He was immensely supportive of me throughout my career. He did so much good all his life . I too have had Parkinson's for over 30 years and certainly understand why he chose to end his life. This is a very difficult disease. Love, Zarela Martinez

La Verne Tolbert, PhD

February 7, 2021

Dearest Barbara,
Sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. He was a wonderful compliment to a magnificent woman! I so appreciate you and think of you often. Praying God’s peace to comfort you. Blessings!
La Verne (Powlis) Tolbert (Former Beauty and Health Editor, Bride’s Magazine)

The NRAEF Family

Planted Trees

Rachel Fischbach

February 1, 2021

Dear Mrs. Tober,

I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Tober was a wonderful, kind, gentle man and will be missed by everyone that knew him. I will always remember visiting the NY office and having him invite me in to his office to just talk and see how I was doing and ask about my family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Respectfully yours,

Rachel Fischbach

Debra Moore

January 25, 2021

Dearest Barbara,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My father and I were honored to be a part of your Yellow Frame family. Your presence in my life was life changing and I have always felt honored to have known both of you.
With deepest sympathy.
Debra Moore

Damian Garzilli

January 22, 2021

Dear Mrs. Tober,

My deepest condolences. Mr. Tober was one of the finest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was a wonderful soul who knew how to live the good life. I owe him a great deal for helping get me started in the catering business. It was an honor being a chef to the two of you.

Best,
Damian Garzilli

PAOLA ISABELLA ROCHÁ TORNITO

January 22, 2021

Dear Barbara Tober,

My deepest sympathy and condolences to you and your family My thought and prayer to Donald Tober. May he Rest In Peace

Respectfully yours,
Paola Isabella Rochá Tornito

Sabrina Ortiz

January 21, 2021

Deepest condolences to the Tober family. Though I only had the pleasure of a few encounters with him, he was very kind and personable and it was an honor to be a member of the Sugar Foods Family.
Bestest wishes,
Sabrina Ortiz

Oliver Stanton

January 21, 2021

Dear Barbara,
First, I offer my deepest and sincerest condolence and a big hug. Like many friends I was so saddened to hear of Donald’s passing. And secondly, you and Donald are both among my favorite people. I will miss Donald, one of kindest people I know. I have missed seeing you both lately but do think of you often, as my friends, not just of Ronald.
I am sure Donald and Ronald will get together, go for a ride, kid around, and I can see them both with their boyish grins and laughter. I will also forever have in my mind a picture in hunting colors of you both with Ronald and the Pintos, Gene, the whole Hunting field. I miss those times too.
Dear Barbra, may the wonderful memories Donald and you created be of some comfort now and forever. With a tear in my eye, wish you well, always and during this most difficult time.
With much love,
Oliver (Stanton)

Peter Sullivan

January 20, 2021

Rest in Peace.

Roxana Luna

January 20, 2021

I have never met someone as unique, spontaneous, and friendly towards everyone like Mr. Tober was. He will be greatly missed and his kindness was unmatched. It is rare to come across someone in your life that is like him and I am happy I was able to meet Donald. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Tober. Rest in peace.

Roxana Luna

Planted Trees

Monica Gerard-Sharp Wambold

January 19, 2021

Dearest Barbara,

Ali and I were shocked by the dreadful news and we immediately worried about you. We were shocked because Donald was a tower of positive energy, bursting with life and bonhomie, courteously engaging with everything and everyone, and also shocked because his stoicism did not make public that he was suffering. We instantly worried about how devastated you must be, because you two stood out among all our friends for being exceptionally close - pretty much inseparable and indivisible.

We send you our love and our most heartfelt condolences, and hope to be able to see you soon in 2021.

Monica G-S W

Holly M Rogers

January 19, 2021

My heart is broken knowing that this is the end of an era. My heart breaks for you, dear Barbara. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time. I had the privilege of working for and with Donald since 1980. He was not just a generous and caring employer but made me feel like I was part of something special - part of a family. He became like a father to me and we shared many meaningful times together over the years. He was a consummate gentleman and caring human being. In making business decisions I always am reminded of one of our company's tenants - WWDD - What Would Donald Do? Rest in peace, Donald. I am so very grateful to have known you and had you influencing and impacting my life for so many years. I am thankful that you are no longer suffering and in pain. Be assured that your legacy will continue to live on!

Annie Watt

January 19, 2021

Donald Tober you will be missed by so many. I always enjoyed photographing you but it was you that made me smile.

Simone Taylor

January 18, 2021

Please except my deepest sympathies to you and your family at this time of grieving. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Matthias Pippig

January 18, 2021

I am both deeply saddened by Mr Tober's departure, and equally grateful to have had the chance to know him, and to work as part of this great Sugar Foods family that he started and fostered throughout his life. It puts a smile on my face to think about him, and he will be an inspiration, and guiding light for the rest of my days here. Thank you Donald, for your generosity, optimism, warmth, inclusion of us all, and for showing that there is always a way forward! And dear Mrs. Tober, I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope that you can find some comfort and strength in knowing what your husband met to all of us.

Matthias Pippig

Planted Trees

Kelly Mako

January 18, 2021

I remember the first time I met Mr. Tober. I was so nervous about meeting him, but he instantly put me at ease with his warm and genuine way. When he would visit the Sun Valley customer care department, he would always make a point to come say hello to me. It was always very special and I've never forgotten his kindness and generosity. His vision along with Mr. Odell's, have allowed me to remain gainfully employed since 1986. His commitment to our mission statement "The Customer is King" is something I hold dear in my daily duties as a customer service administrator. My deepest condolences to his wife Barbara, and also to Mr. Odell and our entire Sugar Foods family.

Jim Morris

January 18, 2021

My sincere condolences to Mrs. Tober and the entire Sugar Foods Family. Mr. Tober was an exceptional man who was always kind and generous to me. I had the pleasure of his presence on many occasions during my time with Sugar Foods and will always remember him as a great man who built a great business and a wonderful Sugar Foods Family. He will be greatly missed by all.
Jim Morris

Frank Fahrenkopf

January 18, 2021

A brilliant, caring and generous individual who will be truly missed! Frank Fahrenkopf

Kelly Mako

January 18, 2021

I vividly remember the first day I met Mr. Tober. He visited our Sun Valley office and toured the Customer Service Department. I was so nervous meeting him, but he instantly put me at ease. He was warm, and so very genuine. Every time he visited our office after that, he always remembered my name. That might not seem like a big deal to most, but to me it was everything. I am so grateful for his vision and partnering with Mr. Odell, which has kept me gainfully employed for 35 years. We have always been treated like family, and I'm honored to be part of this wonderful company. My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Tober, and also to Mr. Odell and Mr. Wilson and the rest of the Sugar Foods family. Mr. Tober's legacy will live on in our "The Customer is King" mission statement, and our service to both our customers and our communities.

Ann Donner

January 18, 2021

Donal was always incredibly kind to me. He was a delight and I so loved listening to his piano playing. With our deepest condolences,
Dr. and Mrs. Christopher and Ann Donner

Wendell Ramchatesingh

January 18, 2021

It is difficult to tell you how deeply I feel about the passing of Mr. Tober. I started working for him in 1984 and had a warm relationship. It was a privilege to have known him so well and will never forget his thoughtfulness and kindness. To Mrs. Tober, only you can know the debts of your feelings and extend my heartfelt sympathy and love to give you strength to bear your sorrow.

Ken Mitchell

January 18, 2021

Truly heartbreaking. What a wonderful man.
I am so honored that I had the opportunity to know him for over 30 years.

He impacted the lives of many people with his kindness and generosity.
He will be dearly missed.

Be well.

Ken Mitchell

Peachy

January 17, 2021

Barbara and Donald Tober are the brightest lights in a crowd and their friendly gracious familiar faces are among the best beacons of New York! https://www.whomyouknow.com/search?q=donald+tober#.YATtRuhKg2w I will miss seeing them together and Barbara is forever a Mover and Shaker.
https://www.whomyouknow.com/2012/06/movers-and-shakers-barbara-tober-museum.html#.YATuKehKg2w
xoxo Peachy Deegan

Hillary Donovan Brennan

January 17, 2021

Barbara,

I am deeply saddened for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hillary Donovan Brennan

Axel hardtke

January 17, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dale & Doug Anderson

January 17, 2021

Dear Barbara,
With all of your philanthropic interests that you supported financially,we were amazed how you would always "show up". That made the two of you especially special

M F

January 17, 2021

Devastating loss!
Thank you & your family for so many levels of generosity!

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