Robert J. Valstic

Robert Joseph Vlasic Born March 9, 1926 Detroit, Michigan Died May 8, 2022 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan was an American business executive. He helped build Vlasic Pickles into one of the most popular pickle brands in the United States, controlling about a quarter of the market as of 1978.

Robert Joseph Vlasic loved his family and his work, and devoted his life to making a great home for his wife and five sons, as well as creating opportunities for others as a successful businessman, philanthropist, and lay leader in the Catholic Church.

Known for his optimistic spirit and bold and decisive personality, he touched the lives of friends and family with his compassion, loyalty and generosity. Surrounded by the warmth and love of his family,

Robert died peacefully on May, 8, 2022 at the home he had shared for many years with his beloved wife, Nancy, who predeceased him in 2016.

Robert Vlasic was born March 9, 1926, in Detroit to Marie and Joseph Vlasic. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in Indiana and earned a degree in engineering from the University of Michigan.

After serving in the United States Navy, Robert met the love of his life, Nancy Reuter, and they were married on November 11, 1950. They raised five sons and spent more than sixty-five wonderful years together at their homes in Michigan and Florida.

With Nancy at his side as homemaker, mother and grandmother, Robert pursued what became a storied career in the food industry, building his family’s hometown Vlasic pickle business into an iconic national brand before selling it in 1978 to Campbell Soup Company, where he joined the board of directors and served as its chairman from 1988 to 1993. Yet he always remained an entrepreneur at heart, founding technology companies and other ventures, while also taking leadership roles on the boards of Henry Ford Hospital and Cranbrook Educational Community, and as a member of the finance council of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit.

Even with his many responsibilities, Robert embraced being with his family. He was father to Jim (Shari), Bill, Rick (Vicki), Mike (Helen), and Paul (Adriana). He was the grandfather of Jeff, Christine, Nicole, Matthew, Michael, John, Dan, Katie, Joe, Alex, Jack, Will, Nina, Bobby, Tom, Adam and Martha, and great-grandfather to Mila, Josephine, Lyla, Mason and Luke.

He was the brother of the late Sally Blakeley, and the loving uncle of Frank and Tina MacDonell and several other nieces and nephews.

Robert loved traveling, playing golf, and hosting special occasions and vacations for his family and friends. Above all, he had a passion for contributing his talents and experience to helping others.

Robert was an enthusiastic supporter of many charitable causes, particularly ones related to education, health care and his Catholic faith. His strength and wisdom enriched countless people who crossed his path, and he readily shared his blessings with others. He believed in the power of prayer, hard work and faith to overcome obstacles, and set a positive example for how to live a productive, supportive and spiritual life.

Family will receive friends Friday, May 27, 2022, 4:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. Prayer Service at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward, Royal Oak, Michigan. 248-549-0500.

Funeral Mass Saturday, May 28, 2022, 11 a.m. at St. Hugo of the Hills Church, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, 48304.

Visitation at the church begins at 10:30 a.m. The celebrant of the Mass Msgr. Michael Bugarin. The presider will be His Eminence Adam Cardinal Maida.

Family suggests memorial tributes to the following:
Archdiocese of Detroit – Catholic Services Appeal, 12 State Street, Detroit, MI 48226-1823
Henry Ford Health, Attn: Development Office, Suite 5-A, 1 Ford Place, Detroit, MI 48202
University of Michigan College of Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering - Giving Office, 1221 Beal Avenue, Suite 2011, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2102
Cranbrook Educational Community, P.O. Box 801, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0801

married November 11, 1950 Nancy Reuter

NANCY REUTER VLASIC

LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND FRIEND

Nancy Reuter Vlasic loved her family deeply, and devoted her life to making a happy home for her husband and five sons, as well as brightening the lives of others through her work with the Catholic Church and many charitable organizations.

Throughout her life her friends and family benefitted from her wisdom, grace, and sincerity, and enjoyed her vivacious personality and optimistic spirit. Surrounded by the warmth and love of her family, Nancy died peacefully at the home she shared with husband, Robert, on September 14, 2016.

Nancy Reuter was born on September 16, 1928 in Detroit to John and Irene Reuter. She attended Catholic schools in Detroit and earned a degree in art from Lake Forest College.

She then met the love of her life, Robert Vlasic, and they were married on November 11, 1950. They raised five sons and spent more than sixty-five loving years together at their homes in Michigan and Florida. While Robert built a successful career in the food industry and as an entrepreneur, Nancy embraced her role as a homemaker, mother and grandmother.

Nothing pleased Nancy more than to be with her family. She was mother to James and his wife Shari, Bill, Rick and Vicki, Mike and Helen, and Paul and Adriana. She was the grandmother of Jeff, Christine, Nicole, Matthew, Michael, John, Dan, Katie, Joe, Alex, Jack, Will, Nina, Bob, Tom, Adam and Martha. She was the sister of the late Ione MacDonell and Warren Reuter, and the loving aunt of Frank and Tina MacDonell and several other nieces and nephews.

Nancy had a passion for reading, gardening, music and the arts, and was an accomplished painter and decorator. She loved to swim and spend time outdoors, often accompanied by one or more of her beloved pet dogs. Nancy was a tireless supporter of organizations benefitting animals, culture, and people in need, and her positive attitude and empathetic nature touched everyone she met in all walks of life.

A great friend to others, she believed in the power of prayer and unconditional love to overcome obstacles and live a productive and spiritual life.

The Vlasic Family will receive friends Sunday, September 18, 2016 from 2:00-5:00pm with Prayer Service at 5:00 pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak, MI 48073.

The Funeral Mass will be Monday, September 19, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, 48304. Visitation at the church begins at 10:30 am.

Memorial tributes to the Michigan Humane Society, 30300 Telegraph Rd., Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 or the Detroit Zoological Society, 8450 W. Ten Mile Rd., Royal Oak, MI 48067-3001