IN MEMORIAM: REP GENE VADER

Eugene “Gene” Vader, long-time member and past-president of the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry, died Nov.11. He was 81.

Vader began his career in foodservice equipment sales in 1957 at Koch Refrigeration of Kansas City, moving from inside sales to factory representative for their Chicago-based sales territory.  He joined Minneapolis-based Okinow Sales in `67, which became the Vader and Landgraf manufacturer’s representative agency. He served as its president until his retirement in 2004. He was president of MAFSI in 1987.

He is survived his wife, Kathy; five children; and nine grandchildren. Contributions in his name can be made to Sharing and Caring Hands. “””