Roy Utke; Former President of Sunkist Growers

Roy Utke, 74, former top executive of Sunkist Growers marketing cooperative. Born in North Dakota, Utke was educated in mathematics, music, education and law at Moorhead State College in Minnesota and at Columbia and Cornell universities. He began his career in 1947 with Fruit Growers Supply Co., Sunkist’s manufacturing and supply affiliate, as an analyst on systems, contracts and production. In 1953, he moved to the company’s timber operations and carton manufacturing facility. Utke was named general manager of Fruit Growers Supply in 1967 and four years later was elected president of Sunkist. Utke served as a director of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, a member of the president’s advisory committee for trade negotiations, a director of the California Chamber of Commerce and a trustee of Pomona College. On Jan. 7 in Los Angeles.