Richard Neschich
March 22, 2004
Richard Neschich, associate professor emeritus of marketing at Western Michigan University, died March 18 in Kalamazoo. He was 75.
Neschich first came to WMU in 1964, shortly after the Food Distribution Program was established. He and colleague William Haynes are credited with building the program into today's renowned Food Marketing Program. Neschich forged industry partnerships, raised thousands of dollars for scholarships and helped launch the annual Food Marketing Conference.
Neschich and Haynes were honored for their efforts in 2000, when they were named to the list of top-100 industry leaders of the 20th century by the Michigan Food and Beverage Association. Others on the list include Hendrik Meijer, Win Schuler, Tom Monaghan and James Vernor.
Neschich retired in 1991, but continued teaching part time in the program through 2001. During his career, he also served as consultant to a number of food industry firms, including Coca Cola, Jewell Food Stores, Kroger Co., Kellogg Co., Kraft Foods and Quaker Oats Co.
Neschich earned a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University in 1955 and an MBA from WMU in 1965.
Memorial donations may be made to the Richard Neschich Endowed Food Marketing Scholarship through the WMU Foundation, 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo MI 49008-5403.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu