Founder of Ingles Markets Dies

Robert P. Ingle, founder and CEO of Ingles Markets Inc., died March 6 at the age of 77, the Asheville, N.C.-based company said. Ingle founded supermarket chain in 1965 and was as chairman of the board from the company’s incorporation in 1965 until May 2004, when he became a director. He was Ingles’ CEO from 1965 and president from that year until 1982.

The company’s board has elected Robert P. Ingle II to succeed his father as CEO. The younger Ingle, 42, has been a board member since February 1997 and became chairman in May 2004. He has worked for Ingles in a variety of positions since 1985.

Ingles operated 203 supermarkets in six southeastern states, in addition to 70 neighborhood shopping centers, all but 12 of which include an Ingles store.