ROBERT ADERS

Robert O. Aders  
On March 12, 2020, Dad died peacefully at age 92. He was an influential and beloved leader during transformative changes in grocery industry store dynamics, technology, consumer involvement, and labor and trade practices. CEO at Kroger Company until 1974, he came to Washington, DC to work in several government and private roles including Acting Secretary of Labor and President of Food Marketing Institute. His great vision for his industry was to efficiently and collaboratively bring together huge sectors with competing agendas to listen and act for the greater good. He facilitated industry improvements such as UPC coding and scanning; consumer education and advocacy; responsibility to underserved and disadvantaged communities; nutritional labeling and freshness dating; and global food chain efficiencies and safety.He spent much time away from his family and his hobbies while he was out changing the world, but he had a lot of fun. He traveled and spoke. He talked and he listened. And we are proud of him.Robert O. Aders is survived by his five children with the late Marguerite Herschede Aders: Tara Aders, Linda Aders, Kitty Brown (Mike), Rob Aders (Kay), Jenny Schneider (Ferd); and by his stepson Allan Karas (Denise); his sister Lois Ludlow (Ed); 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. His wife Tabitha Simpson Aders is recently deceased. Services will be scheduled for a later date.