Bob Evans "UP on the farm"

Bob Evans Farms Inc. announced the death of their founder, Bob Evans, today. The 89 year old Mr.Evans had suffered from pneumonia during the past week. His quest for quality sausage to serve in his 12-stool 24-hour steakhouse in Gallipolis, Ohio led to the creation of the 590 store chain that bears his name.

Evans complained that he could not get good sausage for the restaurant he started after World War II in Gallipolis in southeast Ohio. So with an initial investment of $1,000, a couple of hogs, 40 pounds of black pepper, 50 pounds of sage and other secret ingredients, he opted to make his own, relying on the hog's best parts as opposed to the scraps commonly used in sausage. He began selling it at the restaurant and mom-and-pop stores, and peddled tubs of it out of the back of his pickup truck.

"You might say the truck drivers did my research for me," he said. "They would tell me that this was the best sausage they ever had, and then buy 10-pound tubs to take home."

Evans formed Bob Evans Farms in 1953 with five friends and relatives. The chain emphasizes farm-fresh food, cleanliness and service in a homey atmosphere.