The Missouri Grocers Association shared in a newsletter Jan. 20 about the death of longtime grocer Roger Dierberg.
Dierberg, who died Jan. 18, was a third-generation grocer and former EVP of Dierbergs Markets. He had joined the company in 1969 from McDonnell Aircraft and went on to help make Dierbergs the company it is today. As a cousin and business partner to Bob Dierberg, he made an impact as the company grew from two stores to 20 stores during his tenure.
In his community, he was instrumental in the founding of Operation Food Search and was involved in other community and business organizations, such as the Boy Scouts of America and Lutheran Family and Children’s Services.
According to the National Grocers Association’s 40th anniversary magazine, Dierberg was an instrumental part of its establishment.
NGA was created in 1982 from the merger of the Cooperative Food Distributors of America and the National Association of Retail Grocers of the United States. Dierberg, who was a member of NARGUS, sat on the executive committee that negotiated the merger. He joined the association’s other founding members in traveling across the U.S., speaking at board meetings and state conventions to introduce and present the new association.
Following its creation, Dierberg would go on to serve as one of NGA’s first board chairmen in 1985. He officially retired in 2004.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Lutheran High School Association, Lutheran Family and Children’s Services or to the charity of your choice. The service will be held Jan. 23 at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Chesterfield, Missouri.
To learn more about his life and legacy, visit schrader.com/obituary/roger-dierberg.
