Democrat & Chronicle

Robert B. Wegman, the man behind the growth of Wegmans Food Markets from a small, local operation into a major player in the grocery industry, died today at Strong Memorial Hospital. He was 87.

“We will miss him terribly but are comforted knowing he has left the company he so treasured in good hands,” Wegmans officials said in a statement announcing the death.

Mr. Wegman, who with his family became one of the area’s greatest philanthropists, was the patriarch of the two generations that now run the business, which is headquartered here and has 70 stores throughout the Northeast.

At the time of his death, Mr. Wegman was chairman of the grocery store chain, having turned over the chief executive title to his son Danny, the company’s longtime president, in January 2005.

Danny’s daughter Colleen Wegman became company president at that same time.

When Robert Wegman joined the business after death of his father in 1936, he was still a student at Aquinas Institute. He worked full-time while attending a Rochester branch of Niagara University, where he studied accounting.

After a three years in the U.S. Marines, Mr. Wegman became a store manager in 1947. When his uncle died in 1950, he became president of the company.

He quickly began an expansion process that has never really stopped, always focusing on a combination of customer service and quality products.

Mr. Wegman was a familiar figure in stores, where he talked with customers and workers, asking each how things were going.

Bob Wegman left his mark on the Rochester area, first with a chain of stores that revolutionized grocery shopping, then with his generosity. The Catholic schools of the Rochester Diocese exist in large measure because of his assistance in the last two decades. Aquinas Institute, his alma mater, exists today primarily because of his donations.

A Wegman’s store represents the best of America and the best of capitalism. If it’s grown, produced, canned or eaten anywhere in the world, the chances are good that it’s sold at Wegmans. Massive amounts of fresh produce available year round. The best cuts of meat, fish and everything in between. Shopping at Wegmans says “Yes, you can”. From the deli, to the bakery, to the fruits and veggies, the meat and fish counters, and all the groceries in between, you can get it at Wegmans.

How many thousands of young men and women had their first job at Wegmans? They learned the value of working hard and working well, and the rewards that come with that.

There’ll be plenty of bad things said about Bob Wegman. I won’t say any. He was a tough old bastard at a time and place where a tough old bastard was needed. He did a lot of good when he didn’t have to. Rochester is a better place because of him.