Daniel G. Coborn, patriarch of Coborn’s Inc., dies at 86
MINNEAPOLIS — Daniel G. Coborn, former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Minnesota-based grocery chain Coborn’s Inc., died March 15 at his home in Sartell, MN, at age 86. Mr. Coborn led the company his grandfather began, growing it from one grocery store in Minnesota into 54 across the Midwest, while serving as its CEO for 40 years.
Daniel G. Corborn
“The company was his life,” Emily Coborn, his granddaughter and Coborn’s vice president of fresh merchandising, said in a news release.
Mr. Coborn was born the third of seven children and, like most Depression-era youngsters, he and his brothers went to work early in life to help make ends meet.
“I started delivering groceries when I was 10 years old,” Mr. Coborn said during a 2008 interview with Business Central. “All the able-bodied men were gone because of the war. I’d put a pillow on the seat so I could see out the window when driving the delivery truck.” Mr. Coborn remembered his father saying, “You’re the boss’ son so you have to do it all.”
After graduating from high school, earning a college degree in economics, getting married and serving in the U.S. Army, Mr. Coborn was accepted into law school but chose to work for his father because he and his wife were expecting their first child.
Following his father’s death in 1959, Mr. Coborn and his brothers were suddenly thrust in charge of the company. Since the eldest brother was in the service, the siblings chose Mr. Coborn to lead the way and he began an era of expansion.
“We were trying to eke out a living,” Mr. Coborn once recalled. “We needed to expand to support four families. One store was not going to do it.”
Today, Coborn’s Inc. has 8,000 employees and also includes CobornsDelivers, an online grocery delivery service, and 120 retail locations including convenience, liquor, video and pharmacy locations, along with its own central bakery, central floral, dry cleaning facility and grocery distribution center.
Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association, described Mr. Coborn as a legend in the industry. He was named Minnesota Grocer of the Year in 1987 and was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
Mr. Coborn’s success in business inspired him to give back and his legacy includes philanthropy. In 1999, Coborn’s Inc. was named one of the 10 Most Generous Companies in America and John F. Kennedy Jr. and Paul Neuman presented Mr. Coborn with the award. “We all share responsibility for the health of our communities,” said Mr. Coborn upon receiving the award.
Even into his 80s, Mr. Coborn would drive from his home to the former Coborn’s Inc. office just to be there and read the paper. He also never missed the chance to attend a Friday morning staff meeting.
“It is rare that a person has the opportunity to work so closely with their father for most of their life,” said Chris Coborn, the company’s current CEO. “I was blessed to have had my dad be such an influential personal and professional mentor. He was absolutely extraordinary.”
Survivors include Mr. Coborn’s wife of 64 years, their five children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
