In January, our industry lost a true pioneer with the passing of Robert (Bob) Sperling of Sherman Foods. Introduced to the business during the 1980s by one of his uncles, Sperling met and partnered with Robert (Bob) Weinstein to oversee the success of the Sherman Foods business. The two would go on to work together for many years before selling the company during the 1990s to Tree of Life.

April 1982 cover of Health Foods Retailing featuring Bob Weinstein and Bob Sperling.

With news of his passing, we reached out and asked Weinstein to share a few thoughts and memories on his dear friend and long time collaborator. "I was at the funeral of Ernest Fried when Jerry Sperling [Bob's uncle] spoke with me and said new young blood would be the right way for Sherman Foods to continue being competitive. He wanted Bob and I to take over the business and was the one that introduced us."

At the time, Weinstein, a native New Yorker, was living in Southern California, working as VP of Sales for Plus Products. Sperling was in New York City, working in a completely different industry. "Bob was busy selling brassieres in NYC. So back in 1980, and to make a long story short, Jerry made Bob and I partners. I moved back to NY."

After a few years in business, the duo sold part of the company and moved its operation out of the Bronx and into New Jersey. "In 1988 we sold 50% of Sherman Foods to John Reiser and Steve Giordano and moved the company to NJ. I remember them being so fascinated by the fact that two young Jewish men had an entire supplement business set up in the Bronx, which back in those days was quite a different place."

Shortly after introducing their new partners, Sherman Foods was acquired by Tree of Life in 1990. "Steve and John went on their separate ways and Bob and I stayed with Tree of Life."

After the acquisition, the two business partners stayed in touch both professionally and personally. "Bob and I not only became partners, but we became lifelong friends," shared Weinstein. "We stayed very close friends....We spoke every single day...Bob was still selling as a broker for numerous brands until the day he passed."

Sperling had a warm personality and loved to be behind the scenes, handling the day-to-day activities. "Bob wanted a quiet position, he wanted to do sales but locally. He always had his finger on the industry."

Throughout the industry, Sperling was known as a hard worker that was always friendly, even to strangers, and was genuinely liked by all. "Once during Expo West, I see Bob hugging a young woman. He was so friendly, he just hugged her and chatted with her for several minutes. As soon as she left I asked Bob who the young lady was and I'll never forget his response: I don't know. That's the kind of guy Bob was, always super friendly and super polite, even if he didn't know you."

Industry colleagues gather for a photo

When news of Sperling's passing made its way throughout the industry, many expressed their deep sense of respect and appreciation for the industry veteran. WholeFoods Magazine Publisher/Chief Business Officer, Heather Wainer, shared: "Bob had a way of making everyone feel special and important. He loved this industry and the people in it, and we all loved seeing him and working with him. He was always quick to help anyone and connect with people. He always had a story too, I know he will be missed by so many."

Nicole D'Amico, Sr. Manager Supplier Relationship Management, UNFI Wellness, reflected on the many years of knowing "Sperls" as she affectionately called him. "I have so many stories about my time with Bob at Select Nutrition/UNFI, where do I even begin...When he first came to the old Select Nutrition office, we realized we both came from the same Long Island town. And we realized that his younger son graduated high school with my brother. From then on, he always treated me like his catholic daughter. Bob knew I loved bubble gum and brought boxes if not huge tubs of gum into the office for me. Bob even wanted me to convert to Judaism so I could marry his older son. Sperls was comical in so many ways I think anyone that worked with him had some tagline or funny story about Bob. He was so passionate about Sales and always looking for 'Hip Pocket' deals. I don’t think a supplier or broker could ever say no to him."

D' Amico's UNFI colleague, Lisa Madsen, Sr. Director, National Natural Category Merchandising, remembers Sperling for his genuinely good natured persona, "Bob was truly a one-of-a-kind character who deeply loved his friends and his role in the natural industry. To know him was to love him — always cheerful, funny, and kind…Even when you told him no, which I did on many occasions! He was the only person in this industry who could get away with calling me 'Lis.' I can still remember walking into the office years ago and hearing: 'Talk to me, Lis! What’s happening?' — and him laughing while I’m yelling at him that it’s 7:30 a.m. and I haven’t had my coffee yet. Bob leaves behind a legacy of friendship, laughter, and genuine connection. He will be deeply missed by so many."

Jeri Trachtman, US Sales Pro-Ven Probiotics, expressed the utmost respect for her mentor and friend. "Bob Sperling was one of those once in a lifetime people that you meet. He was the quintessential salesperson until the end. No one could cut a hip pocket deal quite like Bob. He was my mentor and my friend. No one else would call me at 5 am to shoot the breeze, except for Bob who claimed to forget each time he called, that California was 3 hours behind New York."

Remembering Industry Leaders