Richard Ransom
Richard K. Ransom (September 13, 1919 – April 11, 2016) was an American businessman and founder of Hickory Farms.
Life
Ransom graduated from DeVilbiss High School (Toledo, Ohio) in 1938.[1] He served in World War II, at Okinawa. Starting in 1951, he built a specialty foods business, using the technique of "free samples". He sold Hickory Farms to General Host Corporation in 1980.[2][3]
Philanthropy
He was on the board of the Toledo Zoo and Riverside Hospital. He was board chairman of St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy.[4][5]
References
- ^ Toledo Blade obituary]
- ^ Walsh, Mary Williams (2016-04-16). "Richard K. Ransom, Founder of Hickory Farms Specialty Foods Chain, Dies at 96". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ^ Hagerty, James R. (2016-04-22). "Richard Ransom Founded Hickory Farms Chain: 1919–2016". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ^ "Richard K. Ransom (1919–2016): Businessman aided children's charities". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ^ "Hickory Farms founder's real passion was civic philanthropy". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2016-04-28.