Industry Veteran Passes Away at Age 60
The convenience store industry lost a valuable member on Nov. 19, when Steve Andersen passed away in his home. Known as "Mr. Fantastic," to his friends, he left behind many fond memories from his time at McLane Co., Pick Kwik, PDI and PDQ Food Stores.
"Steve was genuinely one of the most optimistic upbeat people I've been around. He made everyone feel better after being been in the room or attending a meeting or whatever you were having at the time," Greg Gilkerson, president of PDI, told CSNews Online.
Andersen started his career as a CPA after graduating from the University of Wisconsin. He soon joined PDQ Food Stores in Madison, Wis. as its controller and was later promoted to chief executive of Pick Kwik, a convenience chain in Clearwater, Fla. After that, Andersen entered into a partnership with Town Star Food Stores in Melbourne, Fla.
In the early '90s, he joined PDI as the vice president of professional services. Soon after, Andersen joined its parent company, McLane, where he headed up the retail services division.
Later in life Andersen left McLane to work as an independent consultant to the industry, where he served several companies.
Memorial services at Temple Bible Church will be held on Dec. 11, to remember, honor and celebrate his life. Andersen succeeds his three brothers and his sister as well as his wife, Carol, his son Scott, his daughter Stephanie Piko, two granddaughters Marsha and Lora, and two grandsons Auston and Conner Piko.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his name to: MD Anderson Development Office, Priority Head/Neck, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486; or by calling (713) 792-3450; and/or through the Scott and White Cancer Research Center.
"Steve was genuinely one of the most optimistic upbeat people I've been around. He made everyone feel better after being been in the room or attending a meeting or whatever you were having at the time," Greg Gilkerson, president of PDI, told CSNews Online.
Andersen started his career as a CPA after graduating from the University of Wisconsin. He soon joined PDQ Food Stores in Madison, Wis. as its controller and was later promoted to chief executive of Pick Kwik, a convenience chain in Clearwater, Fla. After that, Andersen entered into a partnership with Town Star Food Stores in Melbourne, Fla.
In the early '90s, he joined PDI as the vice president of professional services. Soon after, Andersen joined its parent company, McLane, where he headed up the retail services division.
Later in life Andersen left McLane to work as an independent consultant to the industry, where he served several companies.
Memorial services at Temple Bible Church will be held on Dec. 11, to remember, honor and celebrate his life. Andersen succeeds his three brothers and his sister as well as his wife, Carol, his son Scott, his daughter Stephanie Piko, two granddaughters Marsha and Lora, and two grandsons Auston and Conner Piko.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his name to: MD Anderson Development Office, Priority Head/Neck, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486; or by calling (713) 792-3450; and/or through the Scott and White Cancer Research Center.