“Rock” Gumpert retires from Tom Lange after 57 years

After nearly 60 years as a Tom Lange Co. Inc. fixture, Phil “Rock” Gumpert is set to retire.

The Tom Lange board of directors accepted Gumpert’s retirement, effective Dec. 31. He will remain on the board as chairman[MT1] [EB2] , however, the company said[MT3] [EB4]  in a news release.

With his retirement, Gumpert closes out a yearslong chapter with the Marietta, Ga.,-based company where he had worked for 57 years, most recently as the company’s CEO.

It was Aug. 9, 1964, Gumpert recalled, when he first met the company’s namesake, Tom Lange, and made a decision that would change both his career and life.

“Tom Lange and Farrell Gay, better known as ‘Dutch,’ and Paul Beisser approached me about coming to work for Tom Lange Company,” said Gumpert, who was working at the Wabash Railroad on the St. Louis produce terminal at the time. “I was offered less than what I was making at the railroad, but I took a big leap of faith, which would impact and shape the life of me, my family and so many others to follow.”

Since that fateful encounter, Gumpert said he’s tried to live by and pass on to others the company’s motto: “Your word is your bond.”

“As I retire, I feel confident knowing that there is a great management team in place,” Gumpert said.

Colleagues remember Gumpert’s leadership and ethics as being crucial to the company’s success as a whole.

“Rock has been my mentor, not only in my career, but in my life. I held myself to a higher standard because I wanted to make him proud,” said Becky Wilson, vice president of operations at Tom Lange. “His passion and drive for both the company’s and associate’s success are a source of inspiration.”

“We would like to thank Rock for his unwavering commitment to[MT5] [EB6]  the Tom Lange family of companies and its employees, customers, growers, shippers and carriers,” said Greg Reinauer, Tom Lange president. “Rock’s leadership and ethics have defined our company and established a foundation for the future.”