As part of the Utah Food Industry Association’s (UFIA) annual conference, Bob Obray was posthumously named to the UFIA Hall of Fame. Jen Obray, Bob’s wife, accepted the award and one of Bob’s sons, Trevor, spoke to those in attendance.
As part of the presentation, a video about Bob was shared with the hundreds of attendees at the conference. The videos from UFIA and Trevor honoring Bob can be viewed below.
UFIA has recognized retailers and suppliers that make significant contributions to the grocery industry and community with an induction into the Hall of Fame since 1980. Those honored are nominated and voted for by the board of directors.
From their website:
At his passing, Robert (Bob) Obray was the president and CEO of Associated Food Stores. Bob died peacefully at home as a result of a rare neurological disease on August 9, 2022. Prior to being named CEO, Bob had served as the company’s chief financial officer since 2007. A graduate and master’s recipient in Accounting from Utah State University, Bob worked at Deloitte for 11 years prior to joining the Associated Food Stores team.
Bob led Associated Food Stores with the dual aim of maximizing consumer satisfaction and uplifting communities in need. Bob was always committed to giving back to his community and during his tenure, the company made generous donations to the Utah Food Bank, Primary Children’s Hospital, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Make-A-Wish Utah. Bob was fiercely committed to the strength of the independent grocer and passionate about taking care of the customer. He was posthumously honored with FMI’s Herbert Hoover Award for Humanitarian Service.
A family man, Bob met his wife Jen when they were in the second grade, and they have been great friends ever since. During their 34 years of marriage, Bob and Jen became parents to three children, Lindsay, Trevor and Chandler. Bob never shied away from the title of grandpa, and absolutely adored his grandchildren. After a lifetime of people-first progress and food retail success, the late Bob Obray raised the bar for humanitarian leadership and left an inspiring and enduring legacy.