Robert E. Farrell (December 10, 1927 – August 14, 2015) was an American motivational speaker, author, and founder of Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour and Restaurant.[1][2]
Bob Farrell | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 10, 1927 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | August 14, 2015 (aged 87) Vancouver, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Motivational speaker, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1945–2015 |
| Spouse | Ramona Farrell (1946-2015; his death) |
| Website | [1] |
Early life edit
Farrell was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1927. His grandfather, Patrick Farrell, owned an auto parts company which his father later ran. Following the stock market crash in 1929 Farrell's father committed suicide. His mother placed 4-year-old Bob and his sister in an orphanage for five years, taking them back when she remarried in 1934.[3]
In 1945 he dropped out of high school to join the Air Force, remaining in the service for a year after the war. He met and married Ramona in 1946; they later had three daughters. He earned a business degree and took a job with Heinz Foods. After a year he became a salesman for Libby Foods.[4]
Ice cream edit
On September 13, 1963, he and his friend Ken McCarthy created Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour, an 1890s-themed ice cream parlor in Portland, Oregon. Farrell later bought out McCarthy's interest. Within five years he had six Farrell's locations, then began franchising. Among other publicity stunts, he built the World's Largest Sundae (1,551 pounds (704 kg)) for the Guinness Book of World Records.[5] He built up a franchise chain of 55 restaurants, which he sold to the Marriott Corporation in 1972. He remained with the chain as spokesman until 1985.[4] The chain expanded to 120 locations by 1975, but then sales began declining; by 1990 almost all Farrell's locations had closed. In 2008 the chain was revived, with Farrell serving as an advisor to the new owners.[6]
Motivational speaker edit
While at Farrell's he developed a speech for new employees called Give 'em the Pickle!, based on a letter he received from a disappointed customer. He expanded this speech into a career as a speaker at motivational and employee-training events. In 2002, he put his Pickle speech to video, followed by The Leadership Pickles!
Personal edit
Farrell was active for decades in Young Life.[citation needed] He resided in Vancouver, Washington until his death due to Alzheimer's disease on August 14, 2015.[7]
Recognition edit
In 1976 he received the Horatio Alger Award.[3]
References edit
- ^ "Ice cream parlour founder Bob Farrell dies at 87". The Orange County Register. 15 August 2015.
- ^ "Robert 'Bob' Farrell, founder of popular chain of ice cream parlors, dies at 87". The Oregonian. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
- ^ a b Robert E. Farrell Archived June 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Inc. website, accessed May 5, 2010
- ^ a b "Who is Bob Farrell?". giveemthepickle.com. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
- ^ "Avalanche hits ice cream sundae". The Telegraph. March 28, 1974. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
- ^ "The Farrell's Story". Farrell's USA. Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
- ^ "Bob Farrell dies at 87; founded chain of old-time ice cream parlors". 22 August 2015.