Longtime Kroger Co. produce merchandiser Lawrence “Larry” Krempel, 61, of Vero Beach, Fla., died Aug. 3 at a Cincinnati hospital.
Krempel Krempel worked 37 years in produce merchandising and procurement for Cincinnati-based Kroger’s Vero Beach Kroger/Wesco Foods Co. buying office.
After retiring from Kroger in 2007, Krempel worked in sales for GreenLine Foods Inc., Perrysburg, Ohio, before joining Worldwide Produce Direct LLC, Tampa, Fla., in 2010.
Krempel was actively involved with the Produce Marketing Association, Newark, Del.
Fried de Schouwer, president of Greenhouse Produce Co. LLC, Vero Beach, lauded Krempel for his industry contributions.
“The great part about him was though he worked for a very powerful company and had significant power, by the same token, he was a very friendly and likeable guy who understood what the challenges were for vendors to come in and try to sell them,” de Schouwer said.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Gerri (Hershner) Krempel; a son; a brother and three sisters.
Burial was Aug. 9 in Sunbury, Ohio, and a memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 17 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Dynamic Catholic Institute 2330 Kemper Lane, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, or to the St. Helen’s Outreach, 2025 20th Ave. Vero Beach, FL, 32960.
Comments (2) Leave a comment