Post by dgaab on Mar 17, 2009 12:32:19 GMT -5
Paul Stitt was Myrtle’s brother who was exed in the late 70s. He and his professing wife, Phyllis, who still professes, divorced ~'80 and he remarried in ’82.
MANITOWOC (WI) — Paul Stitt, 68, the former owner of Natural Ovens Bakery, died of cancer Saturday at his home in Charlottesville, Va.
"He really is a nutrition missionary with that zeal wanting to make people's lives better," Chelle Blaszczyk of Manitowoc, one of Stitt's two daughters, said Tuesday. "He was very generous with his spirit and his time to people."
Stitt started Natural Ovens Bakery on Ninth Street in 1976. He married Barbara Reed in 1982. They ran the company for the next two decades, eventually withdrawing from day-to-day operations in January 2005 but retaining ownership.
In March 2007, the Stitts sold the business to Chicago-based Alpha Baking Company. Two months later, they moved to Virginia.
The bakery, located on County CR since 1988, continues to produce breads, bagels, cookies, rolls, granola bars, cereals and mixes. They are sold in stores in Wisconsin and other Midwest states. Natural Ovens also mails products to customers nationwide.
"Paul was very stubborn, and wouldn't take no for an answer," said Glenn Hietpas, plant manager at Natural Ovens. He joined Stitt at the Ninth Street bakery more than 30 years ago.
"Everybody now uses the term 'looking outside the box,' and that's what he really did," Hietpas said.
He said Stitt's initial attempts to include heavy grains and flax in their bread were met with staff incredulity. It often would take considerable trial and error before new varieties were ready to be sold to consumers.
"He was fond of developing unique names like Sunny Millet and Hunger Filler," Blaszczyk said. Among its dozens of products, the bakery continues to sell Brainy Bagels.
Student health key focus
In 2005, Paul and Barb Stitt were honored in New York City for their work to enhance student nutrition.
"I can't think of a more deserving couple … their passionate approach to healthy lifestyles is commendable," Tom Scullen, Appleton Area School District superintendent said at the time.
The Stitts helped bring a nutrition program to the Fox Valley School District, beginning in 1997.
The program eliminated soda and candy. The emphasis was on fresh vegetables and fruits, along with Natural Ovens Bakery products. Other school districts began to follow suit, including Manitowoc and Two Rivers.
City of Manitowoc Mayor Kevin Crawford was a friend and admirer. "He pursued the truth even when it wasn't popular," Crawford said Tuesday. "Some people thought Paul was contentious, but I saw him as committed to improving the lives of Americans."
In 2004, Natural Ovens' involvement in Appleton's Peak Performance Program was featured in the documentary movie, "Super Size Me."
At the local debut, Stitt was in the lobby of the Strand Theatre distributing granola bars and coupons for his bread.
Grand ambition
"To help mankind," Stitt said was his goal for Natural Ovens, after beginning a bread giveaway program at the Manitowoc Salvation Army.
"Some don't have the energy to work, they haven't been nourished," Stitt said. "Maybe (the program) will help them get up and get going, be healthy and strong."
Stitt earned his master's degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin. One of his passions later in life was promoting the value of vitamin D.
Away from the bakery, Blaszczyk said her father was an ardent supporter of the Capitol Civic Centre, including the Manitowoc Symphony.
"He enjoyed everything to do with music and the arts in the community," she said.
In the past few months, Blaszczyk said her father had been closely following President Barack Obama, and was "enthralled" by him.
"Dad enjoyed the inauguration, and was interested in what changes Obama might bring to the country," she said.
Stitt is survived by his wife, Barbara, three children and five siblings. Blaszczyk said a celebration of her father's life would be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Kadow Room at the Capitol Civic Centre.
www.htrnews.com/article/20090204/MAN03/902040574
Former business owner Paul Stitt dies
Man passionate about nutrition, developing healthy habits for students
by charlie mathews • Herald Times Reporter • February 4, 2009
by charlie mathews • Herald Times Reporter • February 4, 2009
MANITOWOC (WI) — Paul Stitt, 68, the former owner of Natural Ovens Bakery, died of cancer Saturday at his home in Charlottesville, Va.
"He really is a nutrition missionary with that zeal wanting to make people's lives better," Chelle Blaszczyk of Manitowoc, one of Stitt's two daughters, said Tuesday. "He was very generous with his spirit and his time to people."
Stitt started Natural Ovens Bakery on Ninth Street in 1976. He married Barbara Reed in 1982. They ran the company for the next two decades, eventually withdrawing from day-to-day operations in January 2005 but retaining ownership.
In March 2007, the Stitts sold the business to Chicago-based Alpha Baking Company. Two months later, they moved to Virginia.
The bakery, located on County CR since 1988, continues to produce breads, bagels, cookies, rolls, granola bars, cereals and mixes. They are sold in stores in Wisconsin and other Midwest states. Natural Ovens also mails products to customers nationwide.
"Paul was very stubborn, and wouldn't take no for an answer," said Glenn Hietpas, plant manager at Natural Ovens. He joined Stitt at the Ninth Street bakery more than 30 years ago.
"Everybody now uses the term 'looking outside the box,' and that's what he really did," Hietpas said.
He said Stitt's initial attempts to include heavy grains and flax in their bread were met with staff incredulity. It often would take considerable trial and error before new varieties were ready to be sold to consumers.
"He was fond of developing unique names like Sunny Millet and Hunger Filler," Blaszczyk said. Among its dozens of products, the bakery continues to sell Brainy Bagels.
Student health key focus
In 2005, Paul and Barb Stitt were honored in New York City for their work to enhance student nutrition.
"I can't think of a more deserving couple … their passionate approach to healthy lifestyles is commendable," Tom Scullen, Appleton Area School District superintendent said at the time.
The Stitts helped bring a nutrition program to the Fox Valley School District, beginning in 1997.
The program eliminated soda and candy. The emphasis was on fresh vegetables and fruits, along with Natural Ovens Bakery products. Other school districts began to follow suit, including Manitowoc and Two Rivers.
City of Manitowoc Mayor Kevin Crawford was a friend and admirer. "He pursued the truth even when it wasn't popular," Crawford said Tuesday. "Some people thought Paul was contentious, but I saw him as committed to improving the lives of Americans."
In 2004, Natural Ovens' involvement in Appleton's Peak Performance Program was featured in the documentary movie, "Super Size Me."
At the local debut, Stitt was in the lobby of the Strand Theatre distributing granola bars and coupons for his bread.
Grand ambition
"To help mankind," Stitt said was his goal for Natural Ovens, after beginning a bread giveaway program at the Manitowoc Salvation Army.
"Some don't have the energy to work, they haven't been nourished," Stitt said. "Maybe (the program) will help them get up and get going, be healthy and strong."
Stitt earned his master's degree in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin. One of his passions later in life was promoting the value of vitamin D.
Away from the bakery, Blaszczyk said her father was an ardent supporter of the Capitol Civic Centre, including the Manitowoc Symphony.
"He enjoyed everything to do with music and the arts in the community," she said.
In the past few months, Blaszczyk said her father had been closely following President Barack Obama, and was "enthralled" by him.
"Dad enjoyed the inauguration, and was interested in what changes Obama might bring to the country," she said.
Stitt is survived by his wife, Barbara, three children and five siblings. Blaszczyk said a celebration of her father's life would be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Kadow Room at the Capitol Civic Centre.
www.htrnews.com/article/20090204/MAN03/902040574