William W. Haase, a former executive with Sunsweet Growers and partner in Delicious Foods, died Oct. 25 after a long battle with various health issues. He was 63.

Mr. Haase was a relative latecomer to the fruit and vegetable industry, having held several non-food related positions after graduating from Bay High School in in Bay Village, OH, in 1973. He first joined U.S. Steel before venturing to Florida, where he operated a fishing boat with his high school friends. He eventually joined the Monroe County, Florida, Sheriff’s Department, starting as a janitor and rising to a detective.

Mr. Haase then attended Cleveland State University, where he graduated cumma sum laude in 1983. Upon graduation, he accepted a position as a sales representative with U.S. Lines in Ohio and finished his career there in 1987 as Brazilian sales manager. He subsequently moved to Miami to work for Del Monte Fresh and rose to vice president of North American sales and marketing. In 1997, he was named chief executive officer of Sunsweet Growers, a position he held for three years. In 2000, he became a partner in Delicious Foods, which owned the Del Monte brand for dried fruits and nuts, and which currently owns the Made In Nature branded organic snack foods business.

Mr. Haase, who had relocated to Montana, enjoyed skiing Whitefish Mountain, target shooting, riding his horse in the mountains, and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Haase Heck; his wife, Mary K. Haase; son, Rick (Pam); daughter, Megan (Nathan); sister, Nancy (Mauricio); brother, Christian (Cathy); and grandchildren Hunter, Abby and Bryce.