Bill Post (Pop-Tarts) Wiki, Age, Wife, Cause of death, Family, Net Worth, Career and more
Bill Post was a visionary and a leader in the food industry, who created one of the most iconic and popular breakfast foods and snacks in the world: Pop-Tarts. He was a former plant manager at Keebler Company, a regional baker that was part of the company that would become Kellogg’s. In 1964, he collaborated with Kellogg’s executives to develop a shelf-stable toaster pastry, with a double-layered dough, a fruit filling, and a frosting.
He called them “fruit scones” internally, and tested them with his own children, who loved them. He also helped to add the frosting to the Pop-Tarts, which was another innovation that faced skepticism from some people who feared it would melt in the toaster. He perfected the formula in a single day. Pop-Tarts were launched in four flavors: strawberry, blueberry, apple currant, and brown sugar cinnamon. They were an instant hit, selling out in test markets and becoming a national sensation. Post said his favorite flavor was still the original strawberry, and he liked them cold.
Bill Post Wiki/Bio
| Name | William “Bill” Post |
|---|---|
| Born | October 1, 1927 |
| Died | February 10, 2024 (aged 96) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Dutch |
| Religion | Christian |
| Occupation | Plant manager, consultant, inventor |
| Known for | Creating Pop-Tarts |
| Spouse | Florence Post (m. 1948–2023) |
| Children | 4 |
| Grandchildren | 11 |
| Great-grandchildren | 18 |
| Links | Instagram- #billpost Homepage- Newsunzip |
Early Life, Birthday, and Education
Bill Post was born on June 27, 1927 (age: 96 years, when died), in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was the son of Dutch immigrants, who came to America in search of a better life. He was one of seven children, and grew up in a large and loving family. He attended Calvin College, a Christian liberal arts school in his hometown, where he studied chemistry and biology. He was a bright and curious student, who enjoyed learning and experimenting.
After graduating from college, he joined the Army Air Corps, and served in Japan during World War II. He was a radio operator and mechanic, and witnessed the aftermath of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He later said that this experience made him appreciate the value of life and peace.
Height, Weight
- Height: About 5’ 11″
- Weight: 88 kg
- Eye color: Brown
Career and Invention
After returning from the war, Bill Post joined the Kellogg Company, a famous cereal manufacturer based in Battle Creek, Michigan. He started as a lab technician, and worked his way up to become a senior food chemist and product developer. He was involved in creating and improving many of Kellogg’s products, such as cereals, crackers, cookies, and snacks.
But his most notable achievement was inventing the Pop-Tart. In the early 1960s, Kellogg’s wanted to create a new breakfast product that could compete with Post Cereals’ Country Squares, which were similar to Pop-Tarts but had to be refrigerated. Bill was assigned to the project, and he came up with the idea of using a dough that could withstand high temperatures and seal in the filling. He also devised a way to add frosting that would not melt in the toaster. He called his invention “Toast’em Pop-ups”, and patented it in 1964.
The Pop-Tarts were launched in 1965, and were an instant hit. They were marketed as a fun and convenient way to start the day, and appealed to both children and adults. They were also versatile, as they could be eaten as a snack or dessert, and customized with toppings and spreads. They soon became one of Kellogg’s best-selling products, and a staple of American breakfasts.
Bill continued to work for Kellogg’s until his retirement in 1992. He was respected and admired by his colleagues and peers, and received many awards and honors for his contributions to the food industry. He was also a generous and philanthropic person, who supported many causes and organizations, especially those related to education, health, and veterans.
Personal Life, Spouse, Kids
Bill Post was married to Florence, his high school sweetheart, for 72 years. They had two children, four grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. They lived in a modest and cozy home in Grand Rapids, where they hosted many family gatherings and celebrations. They were also avid travelers, who visited many countries and continents. They enjoyed playing golf, bridge, and bingo, and were active members of their church and community.
Post was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was also a humble and kind man, who never boasted about his achievements or wealth. He was always grateful for his life and family, and said that his greatest joy was seeing his descendants grow and thrive.
In 2020, Bill lost his wife Florence, who was also his best friend. He was heartbroken by her death, and missed her dearly. He also lost his six brothers and sisters, along with their spouses, earlier. He was the last surviving member of his generation.
Bill Post, the man who brought Pop-Tarts to life, dies at 96
Bill Post, a former plant manager at Keebler Company and a key contributor to the creation of Pop-Tarts, the iconic toaster pastry, passed away on February 10, 2024, at the age of 96.
He joined Hekman Biscuit Company, a regional baker that was part of the company that would become Keebler, and rose to the position of plant manager. In 1964, he was approached by executives from Kellogg’s, who had the idea of a shelf-stable toaster pastry, but needed someone to make it a reality.
Post took on the challenge and assembled a team of experts to develop the product in just four months. He had to break every rule in the book, he said, to create a double-layered dough with a fruit filling in the middle. He called them “fruit scones” internally, and tested them with his own children, who loved them.
He also helped to add the frosting to the Pop-Tarts, which was another innovation that faced skepticism from some people who feared it would melt in the toaster. Post said he perfected the formula in a single day.
The Pop-Tarts were launched in four flavors: strawberry, blueberry, apple currant, and brown sugar cinnamon. They were an instant hit, selling out in test markets and becoming a national sensation. He said his favorite flavor was still the original strawberry, and he liked them cold.
Pop-Tarts have become one of the most popular breakfast foods and snacks in the world, with annual sales of about $1 billion in the United States alone. They have also inspired many variations, such as pizza, tacos, and fries.
Post was a close friend of William LaMothe, a former president and CEO of Kellogg’s, and worked as a consultant for the company for 20 years. He was also a devout Christian and a supporter of Gideons International, a ministry that distributes Bibles. His funeral arrangements are pending, and his family requests that contributions be made to Gideons International in lieu of flowers.
Post will be remembered as a visionary, a leader, and a legend in the food industry, who brought joy and convenience to millions of people with his invention of Pop-Tarts. He once said, “I never dreamed it would be this big. I just wanted to make a good product.”
Net Worth
| 2024 | $15 million USD (Estimated) |
Bill Post was a remarkable man, who lived a long and fulfilling life. He was a brilliant and innovative inventor, who gave the world the Pop-Tart, one of the most popular and iconic breakfast foods in America. He was also a loyal and generous employee, who worked for Kellogg’s for over four decades. He was a loving and devoted family man, who had a happy and lasting marriage, and a large and supportive family. He was a humble and kind person, who gave back to his community and society. He was a son of an immigrant, a veteran of war, and a legend of food.
