Costco co-founding officer Bob Craves died of cancer on Nov. 5. He was 72 years old.
Craves together with other Costco founders, Jim Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman, helped the retailer grow from one location in Seattle to a nationwide warehouse-club chain. Craves spent 17 years with Costco, working as senior vice president of membership, marketing and community outreach.
In 2000, Craves set up a foundation, the College Success Foundation, to help disadvantaged youth in the state of Washington gain access to higher education. He expanded the program to Washington D.C. in 2006. As CEO of the foundation for 13 years he helped raise $600 million for the organization, awarding more than 12,000 scholarships.
Craves is survived by his wife of 42 years, Gerri; their daughter, Stacie; and two grandchildren, Siena and Sabrina.
Read his full obituary here.
