Ronald Charles Wornick

Son of the late Harry and Florence Wornick, Ronald Wornick passed away peacefully in San Francisco at 89. He was a genuine renaissance man, husband, father, musician, scientist, businessman, yachtsman, wood artist, winemaker, traveler, and mentor.

Ron is survived by his wife of 65 years, Anita L. Wornick, his sons Ken (Cynthia), Michael (Salma), Jonathan (Cristina), his sister, Thea Fefer, and his grandchildren Harry, Dennis, Sophia, Ezra, and Leo.

A great number of

Ron and Anita’s eastern European family was killed during WWII in the Holocaust. However, Ron’s father, Harry, escaped and made his way to the U.S. at age 18. Born in 1932, Ron was raised in Malden, Massachusetts. He played the trumpet and formed a dance band, the Ronnie Wornick Orchestra, at age 14, and used it to help pay his way through college.

After graduating from Tufts University in 1954, with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, Ron enlisted in the United States Army. For two years he played in the 3rd Infantry Division Marching Band at Fort Stewart Georgia. While in Georgia he also played in Emma Kelly’s band, of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil fame.

When the army discovered his background in science, he was transferred from the band to the 1st Army Medical Lab in New York City where he focused on developing high-tech food technologies.

Ron married Anita Lois Lev, also from Malden Mass., on December 25, 1955. Ron was honorably discharged from the Army in 1957. Ron went on to earn a M.S. degree in food science from M.I.T. He and Anita’s first son, Kenneth, was born in 1957; Michael in 1959, and Jonathan in 1963.

While at M.I.T., Ron began working at the research center of United Fruit Company and his early work included helping to develop a treatment for Panama Disease which was ruining the world’s banana crop. Wornick was promoted to scientist and then quickly moved through the managerial ranks at United Fruit Co. to become division president of Chiquita Brands.

In 1970, Ron resigned when he saw potential in its fledgling freeze-dried food plant in San Carlos, Texas. Wornick mortgaged nearly everything he owned to acquire the factory from his employer, re-naming it Right Away Foods Corporation subsequently based in McAllen, Texas. Two years later, the success and reputation attracted the attention of the Clorox Company in Oakland, CA. Ron sold Right Away Foods to Clorox and moved to Hillsborough, California as Senior V.P. of Clorox’s food division with a seat on the Board of Directors. After managing well known consumer brands such as Hidden Valley Ranch and Kingsford Charcoal, Ron again grew restless. In 1976, he resigned from Clorox and reacquired his former Texas-based firm, changing its name to The Wornick Company.

In 1979, The Wornick Company was contracted by the U.S. military to develop and deliver its newest version of the combat field ration, Meals, Ready to Eat or “MREs.” The MREs produced by The Wornick Company revolutionized how servicemen were fed in the field. Over the next decade, The Wornick Company developed large mobilization capacity, and produced and shipped millions of MRE’s to the Defense Dept. and issued a modified MRE used for international humanitarian aid.

Ron retired in 1995, and as an early adopter of the ESOP (employee stock ownership plan), sold the company to its employees. He remained on its board until 1999.

Ron found time outside of work to become a self-taught wood artist. His interest in turned-wood objects led him and Anita to start collecting sculptural objects and functional art made of wood. The Wornick Collection expanded to include fiber, glass, metal, and paintings. Most of the collection has been gifted to the Boston Museum of Fine Art (and other noteworthy museums throughout the U.S.)

Ron served on a great many regional and national boards in business, religion, art, and education. In recognition of his instrumental role in founding and supporting the communitybased K-8 school, the Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School on the Jewish Community Campus in Foster City was named in his honor

In the late seventies, Ron developed a 350-acre vineyard which he sold to the Hess Collection. Twenty years later in 1996, Ron began construction of a new project in St. Helena, Napa Valley, planting the hillsides with cabernet grapes, and in 2005 introduced the estate grown Seven Stones Cabernet. That wine has continuously received the highest possible accolades from numerous noteworthy wine critics.

Wornick particularly loved sailing throughout the world on Kobrina, and Kobrina II, motor yachts he named in honor of the small village in Belarus where his father was born.

Ron was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010, and quickly became an active supporter of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. He outlived all forecasts.

Wornick was deeply proud of his 65-year marriage to his wife, Anita, his three sons and daughtersin-law, and his five grandchildren.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the work of UCSF oncologist Dr. Jeff Wolf, UCSF cardiologist Dr. William Grossman, and Dr. Kevin Saitowitz.

A memorial service was held at Peninsula Temple Shalom and internment was held at Home of Peace Cemetery, Colma.

The family asks that donations be made in his honor, to the Ronald C. Wornick Jewish Day School in Foster City, CA.

Stuart, son of the late Birdie and Maurice Seiler, passed away peacefully with his wife Gaye and his two sons by his side on August 7, 2021.

He was a proud 4th generation San Franciscan and a graduate of Washington High School and the University of California at Berkeley. It was at Cal that he met his wife, partner, and absolute love of his life for the past 62 years, Gaye. After Cal Stu fulfilled his military service in post WW2 Germany. After his service he married Gaye and began a very successful business career in insurance and ultimately Stu became President of Goldman Insurance. Stu and Gaye had two sons Steve and Mark.

Stu had amazing charisma that cannot be adequately described and everyone he met considered him a good friend. He was kind, generous, thoughtful, charitable, sometimes impatient and incredibly funny. His jokes are now on their third generation! He had an incredible love for all people, and they had an incomparable love for him. Whether the person needed help or guidance everyone knew that they could always count on Stu to be their confidant, advisor and mentor. All of these qualities and many others made Stu the incredible leader that he was in life, in the community and in business.

He loved traveling the world with Gaye and spending time in Hawaii with both his family and with his brother Donald and sisterin-law Ruthie. However, his first love was spending time at their place in Tahoe, hanging out and boating with his family (especially his grandchildren) and friends. Stu was extremely dedicated in service to the community. He served on several charitable boards of directors including Jewish Home of the Aged, Jewish Community Federation, UJCC, Sherith Israel, Rhoda Goldman Plaza, Sinai Memorial Chapel, San Francisco School Volunteers and Nor Cal Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Stu’s athleticism and competitive nature led him to a love of all sports. Whether it was playing basketball, tennis, skiing, coaching his kid’s teams, watching his grandchildren’s sports or even taking a steam bath, Stu excelled in all of them. He played basketball at Washington High School and was All City. He loved and was a season ticket holder for the Niners, Giants, Warriors and especially the Cal Bears!

Stu is survived by his wife Gaye, his sons Mark and Steve and his daughter in law Ellen. He was a proud Grandfather of Anthony, Daniel, and Natalie. Because of his warmth, wisdom and humility Stu was considered a surrogate father by many.

Stu was preceded in death by his brother Donald, sister-in-law Ruth, sister-inlaw Janet and brother-in-law Norman. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

San Francisco and the world are a better place because of Stu. He touched the hearts of everyone and we will miss him dearly. Due to Covid the services will be limited to immediate family at this time as the family may hold a memorial at a later date. The family would appreciate and encourage everyone to please share their thoughts and memories about Stu with them by sending them to stuartseilermemorial@gmail. com as the family would like to make up a memory book in his honor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the San Francisco Campus of Jewish Living (the Jewish Home) at sfcjl.org or a charity of your choice.