Adam Bros. Produce Sales' Founder Richard (Dick) E. Adam Sr. Passes Away

Santa Maria, CA produce pioneer Richard (Dick) E. Adam Sr. died at his home October 22, 2014. Richard was born August 14, 1930 to John and Hester Adam. He was a great grandson of William Laird Adam, one of the founding fathers of Santa Maria Valley. After graduating from Santa Maria High School, Richard attended the University of California at Berkeley and graduated with a degree in agricultural economics. He served in the United States Air Force, with a tour in Korea, before returning to the valley. On August 25, 1962, he married Bernadette Florence Lippert of San Francisco.

Richard farmed with his brother Jack from 1959 until 1994. During that time, he participated in founding Gold Coast Packing, Inc. and Coastal Valley Packing, Inc. Richard always enjoyed working with equipment and processes that streamlined the growing and harvesting of vegetables. In 1994 Richard and three of his sons (Kerry, Peter, and Dominic) went out on their own to form Adam Bros. Farming, Inc. The father and sons soon after vertically integrated their operations forming Adam Bros. Produce Sales, Inc. as their shipping company and Red Diamond Cooling, Inc. as their cooling company.

Richard served his community on the Santa Maria-Bonita Elementary School board, Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District Board, and numerous agricultural and civic organizations. He was instrumental in the adjudication of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin, ensuring that future generations would have water to farm with. His favorite “sport” was watching his beloved sons grow their business into the vertically integrated companies we see today. He took special pride in his grandson, Joseph Adam, who now runs planting and groundwork operations and begins the 6th generation of Adam’s farming the valley. Richard spent many hours driving around the operations with Joseph and educating him on the history and basis of technology advances in farming. Richard always felt that understanding the history was indispensable to planning for the future.

Richard was a pilot and enjoyed his Cessna 206. He enjoyed daily lunch with his sons and numerous guests, and was a mentor to many. Richard acquired 2 patents and invented a number of improvements that make fieldwork easier today. In death, Richard is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Bernadette, sons Peter (Amy), Kerry (Diane), Richard Jr. (Carrick) and Dominic (Hala) and grandchildren Victoria, Joseph, Olivia, Mattie, Meryl, Audrey, Kate, Henry, Jacob, Austin and Luke.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Source: Adam Bros. Produce Sales