Remembering Fred Van Zandt of B&B Imports

Mike Bowe, president of B&B Imports Inc., has announced the recent passing of colleague Fred Van Zandt, who died June 7 after a brief battle with brain cancer.  

Van Zandt had what Bowe describes as “a great career” in agriculture and the produce business starting with his time at Calamos Investments. As his career progressed, Van Zandt was most active in the citrus part of San Joaquin Valley agriculture, including his time as sales manager at Cal-Citrus; his own business, Central Valley Produce; Seven Seas Global; GreenTree International; and B&B Imports, according to a release.  

After residing in Porterville, Calif., for almost 30 years, Van Zandt moved to Pismo Beach, Calif., about eight years ago. Here, one of Van Zandt’s side interests was the donut shop he purchased and operated with his daughter, Carrie Van Zandt, the release said. Surfside Donuts is well known for the quality of its daily offerings of sweet breakfast treats. In recent years Van Zandt turned over the day-to-day operations to his daughter.

Last November Van Zandt remarried his junior high school sweetheart, Diane Reaves. His wife was a huge support during his short battle of aggressive brain cancer, the release said.

Van Zandt was known as an easy-going guy that made many deep friendships with customers and suppliers alike, the release said. 

“We, the staff at B&B, will miss Fred,” the release said.

Van Zandt is survived by his wife Diane Van Zandt, daughter Carrie Van Zandt and son Andrew (Amy) Van Zandt. A memorial service was held at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Pismo Beach on July 8.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Skin Cancer Foundation.