Last updated on September 18th, 2014 at 09:52 am
Longtime Lincoln, Neb.-based grocer Russ Raybould died Saturday, Sept. 13, at age 92.
Mr. Raybould was known nationally as a leader in the independent grocery business. The company he founded, B&R Stores, now operates six Russ’s Market stores in Lincoln and one in Hastings.
In 1984, Raybould launched the price-conscious Super Saver brand. Today there are nine Super Saver locations in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island and Columbus, Neb., and Council Bluffs, Iowa.
B&R Stores also operates Grand Central Apple Market in Kearney and the Save Best grocery in Lincoln. B&R Stores employs more than 2,000 people, and about half of them are part-owners in the company.
Mr. Raybould was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Dec. 7, 1921. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II before going to Nebraska to attend Creighton University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He and wife, Anita, were married in 1948.
Mr. Raybould began his career in the grocery business in 1946 and in 1957 moved to Lincoln, where he worked for Safeway. In 1964, he and partner Clayton Burnett opened B&R IGA at 17th and Washington streets in Lincoln. Mr. Raybould later purchased Burnett’s share of the company.
As the business grew, Mr. Raybould still enjoyed serving customers in the stores. In 1997 he was honored for his leadership and innovation in the grocery business with the IGA International Retailer of the Year Award.
He also knew the importance of giving back to the communities served by B&R Stores. Mr. Raybould was an early member of the board for the Lincoln Food Bank (now the Food Bank of Lincoln) and was instrumental in starting the FoodNet program in Lincoln. Through his support of numerous worthy causes, Mr. Raybould established a culture of giving within the company.
Mr. Raybould served on the finance committee of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lincoln and was active in the Knights of Columbus.
He is survived by his wife Anita, children Michael, Pat and Jane, and seven grandchildren.
In the feature photo at top: Russ Raybould
