Dole Leader David Murdock Promoted Healthier Eating; He Just Died at 102
David Murdock, who built a Hawaiian pineapple plantation into the global fruit and vegetable giant Dole Food Co., died June 9. His passion became longevity through healthier eating, and his passing at age 102 is a testament to that.
He twice owned all of Dole, remained the company largest shareholder of the now-public company and was chairman and CEO of the company at various times in its history.
“More than just a visionary and business giant, as owner and leader of Dole for more than 30 years, Mr. Murdock's fingerprints left a lasting legacy on the Dole brand and our continuing mission to make the world a healthier place,” the company said on its LinkedIn page. “David H. Murdock stood apart— a singular force in American business—a self-made billionaire, visionary entrepreneur, and enduring advocate for health, longevity, and innovation.”
Murdock in 1985 purchased a struggling Castle & Cooke, primarily a real estate development company, which owned Dole Food Co. He split off Dole into its own company in 1996.
The Dole posting chronicles his career:
“As our guiding star from 1985 to 2020, Mr. Murdock transformed the global produce landscape through bold investments, science-driven leadership, and an unwavering belief in the power of nutrition… Driven by the devastating loss of his wife Gabriele that same year [1985], he devoted his life to nutrition and healthy eating as the cure for cancer and life extension.” Both wife Gabriele and Murdock’s mother died of cancer.
“His vision and commitment to scientific discovery and product development as it relates to human health, nutrition, longevity and agriculture was unprecedented, building and funding collaborations with universities, corporations and healthcare organizations to better understand disease prevention through lifestyle, diet and exercise regimens,” the LinkedIn post continues. “He established the Dole Nutrition Institute to ‘Feed the World with Knowledge’ and advocate the benefits of a plant-based diet in promoting health and wellness.”
Bloomberg notes Murdock’s “still-grander project was the 350-acre, $1.25 billion North Carolina Research Campus, which rose from the ruins of shuttered textile mills he once owned in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Eight universities are among the entities conducting research and development there on crops, food and nutrition.”
He often said, “We take better care of the maintenance of our cars than we take care of the maintenance of our bodies.”
“Mr. Murdock’s influence extended far beyond agriculture; his philanthropic efforts in science research, sustainable development, and education have left a lasting imprint on our business and the food industry,” said Johan Linden of Dole Food Co. “Driven by passion, curiosity, and an uncompromising standard and work ethic, he truly exemplified what it means to be a titan of industry with a legacy rooted in both business and purpose. It had been my privilege to work closely with him during my career with Dole.”
