After more than 40 years with Associated Food Stores, Robert Ward has retired and is excited to look back on a career filled with hard work, camaraderie and memories he says he’ll always treasure.
“I was anxious to start working, marry Denise, and avoid being a ‘menace to society!’” Robert said, explaining what first brought him to the company. “Denise’s father and grandfather were two of the finest men I had ever known. Her grandfather owned a member store, and her dad worked there after previously working at Associated. I did a little name dropping and the rest is history.”
Robert jokes that he’s a member of the “20-20 Club,” having spent at least 20 years in each of the company’s main warehouses, first in Salt Lake City, then in Farr West. The Salt Lake facility, once the Remington Arms Building producing World War II ammunition, was later transformed into a grocery warehouse.
“It was admirable, the effort that went into it, and the reputation Associated Food Stores gained,” he said. “When we moved to Farr West, it was hard. Life-changing, even. But looking back, it was the right move. A modern facility, better for perishable products and more centrally located for our stores. We really stepped into the next century as a company.”
Throughout his career, Robert said he was lucky to work with leaders who led by example. “Pete Kinirki in Salt Lake, anyone who worked for him would do anything he asked. You knew he had your back, and you wanted to do your best for him,” he said.
In Farr West, Robert worked under Terri Jensen, Rhonda Simonsen and Mike Horspool, gaining experience in inventory control and produce. “If my work could be called successful, it’s because of these people. I’ll always be grateful for their friendship and patience,” he said.
Robert says the thing that makes Associated Food Stores special is how everyone was treated with respect. “It didn’t matter if you had a big title or were just starting out. Sanitation, cafeteria, transportation. even the ROAR system, everybody feels important. And they are. It’s a true team effort.”
He offered advice for anyone starting their career: “The dream is to do what you love and call it work. Like I’d be a professional golfer! I wish I had that skill set. My advice: throw yourself into your work. Take pride in a job well done, and then do it better. Make that your standard. Be proud of what you accomplish.”
One lesson came from his time with the “Banana Team” in produce. “You can follow all the rules, do everything by the book, but sometimes you must look at things from a different angle to get the results you want. Humidity, pulp temperatures, air flow, it’s more than going through the motions. When you really put yourself into it, the rewards are worth it.”
As he looks ahead to retirement, Robert said he’s excited for some extra free time, but he’ll miss the people. “I won’t miss the commute. I’ll miss friends who have been such a positive influence on me. I hope the good things I learned at Associated help me in this next chapter. Associated has always treated me and my family like people, not just employees.”
For Robert, it’s been a career he’ll never forget, built on teamwork, dedication and leaders who cared.