Grand Rapids man credited with inventing Pop-Tarts dies at 96
GRAND RAPIDS — A Grand Rapids man responsible for inventing the Pop-Tart has died.
William "Bill" Post died Saturday, Feb. 10, at the age of 96.
While serving as the plant manager of Keebler Company in the early 1960s, Post welcomed some executives from Kellogg’s who asked if he thought it would be possible for Keebler to create a new product they had in mind — a shelf-stable toaster pastry.
"It is at this juncture that Bill is often credited for having 'invented' the Pop Tart," Post's obituary reads. "To be accurate, however, Bill would say, 'I assembled an amazing team that developed Kellogg’s concept of a shelf-stable toaster pastry into a fine product that we could bring to market in the span of just four months.'"
One of seven children of Dutch immigrants, Post was raised on the south side of Grand Rapids. At age 16, he starting working part-time job washing trucks at Hekman Biscuit Company — later known as the Keebler Company.
After serving in the Army Air Corps in occupied Japan, he began working full-time at Hekman as the personnel manager, but assisted with sales, production or "anything else that he could learn," according to his obituary.
Twenty years later, Post developed the Pop-Tart, though his family notes he always described the invention as a team effort.
In 1967, Post moved his family to Elmhurst, Illinois, to begin working at the corporate offices of the Keebler Company. As a senior vice president, at the age of 56, he left the company and retired to Glen Arbor.
Post and his wife Florence later returned to Grand Rapids in 2003 to be closer to family.
"We are deeply saddened to share the news that William 'Bill' Post passed away over the weekend. He played an important role in co-creating the iconic Pop-Tarts brand and we are grateful to Bill for his legacy and lasting contributions to our company," a Kellanova spokesperson told the Enquirer Wednesday.
Following Kellogg Company's split into two independent, publicly traded companies last fall, Pop-Tarts are now under the direction of Kellanova, with more than 20 flavors available.
Over the years, Post was interviewed by several local and national media outlets about the invention of Pop-Tarts.
"He was asked to tell the Pop Tart story to young people in countless classrooms and always enjoyed accommodating those requests, giving his testimony of God’s goodness to 'the son of an immigrant,' and bringing some of his unending supply of Pop Tarts with him," according to his obituary.
In spite of accomplishments, family described Post as "a humble man of God with a servant’s heart that seemed to overflow with generosity."
Post served the communities in which he lived as a board member for schools, churches, the YMCA and was a member of Gideons International for 60 years.
A film about the invention of the popular breakfast pastry dubbed "Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story," directed by and starring comedian Jerry Seinfeld, is set to premiere May 3 on Netflix.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Grand Rapids man credited with inventing the Pop-Tart has died
