Memories

Below is a collection of memories submitted by retirees from the many areas of our company in honor of our 100th Anniversary. Browse through the stories and pictures below and see how many people you recognize or remember!
(Note: The most recent submissions will be added on Page 1.)

Roderick Egelston
Tracy, CA

"I was promoted to Maintence Supervisor by Don Van Aken at the San Leandro plant. I was able to replace the fixed expansion joints on the Cookers which saved a large amount in Mantenance costs.

The next major improvement was to remove the Heat & Ventilating ductwork that ran throughout the Plant and install new SS dcut straight down to the tankroom and 1st floor directly under the Heating & Ventilating units on the roof.

This eliminating many clean up hours on O.T. and a thankless job many CU workers thanked me for eliminating the dangerous and dusty job.
I might add that with out the help of very qualified Maintenece Foreman my job would have been alot harder. They were as follows: Tom McIntyre, plant engineer; Ed Rau, 1st shift packing maint; Charles Bennett, 1st shift Process; Les Chandler, 2nd shift Maint; Charles St.Cyr, 3rd shift Maint; and Biff Hoffman, 1st shift Electrician.

My last accomplishment for Kellogg Co. I was sent to Venezuela to oversee the installation of a new coating line and it was tough as the maintenence supervisor wanted things his way not the Kellogg's way."

Jesse Keesling, Jr
Green Valley, AZ

"Back when the Brand New Battle Creek Building 100 was being named, we submitted our suggestion and were awarded the prize of a beautiful night at the "new" Stouffers Hotel in Battle Creek along with a romantic dinner for two and breakfast the next morning. That is a nice memory.

We will be in Battle Creek during the months of May, June and July 2006. Hope to see many Kellogg people then."

James "Mickey" Botelho
San Leandro, CA

"I started with Sunshine Biscuit (Oakland, Calif.) on June 8, 1953 and was the last Union employee to leave Sunshine Biscuit after 44 years of service (Jan. 31, 1997). Thirty-nine of those years I worked in the Receiving dept. with many of the same workers.

[I] Had an opportunity in 1991 to be the "Sunshine Biscuit Bakerman" for the "Walk-America" and enjoyed doing it. They decided the following year, they needed a "more slimmer looking Bakerman". That's what happens when you enjoy eating cookies.

My favorite character is "Tony the Tiger" and [I] enjoy eating Keebler's Townhouse crackers.

Thank you Kellogg's for allowing me to celebrate your 100 years in business. Thanks for the memories."

Bob Bauschke
League City, TX

"I was a production worker for 27 years and 2 months at the Keebler Denver Bakery. At times I worked in several areas of the plant and, especially as floor man, I got to see some of all departments and areas of the bakery. I marveled at the technological process of machines, ovens, and other equipment. However, much more important was the relationships with my varied and wonderful co-workers union and management.

Among my humorous memories is my first three days at Keebler skid-loading Pecan Sandies. I was out of shape, thirsty, and hot and kept seeing the word Sandies on the boxes that I was loading. Thus, I kept thinking of being in a desert hoping for an oasis.

Another humorous event occurred when I took my son to Seattle, WA to go to college. We went to Ivar's, a fast food seafood restaurant in the downtown section. I had been almost exclusively a machine operator for eight years on the machines that packaged individual restaurant packages (RPs) of saltines. While we were dining, a lady who was probably in her seventies came over to me and asked me to open her two-cracker restaurant package of saltines. I could have produced it, since they were Keebler crackers.

I am grateful for the help, encouragement, and learning from my co-workers."