Daniel A. Gescheidle

Daniel A. Gescheidle

Dan Gescheidle died peacefully in Stuart, Florida, on March 16, 2026, at the age of 90.

He was born on January 7, 1936, in Chicago. He attended Bud Long Elementary School and Lane Tech High School in Chicago before graduating from Highland Park High School. He graduated from Lake Forest College in 1957 with a B.A. and was a member of the Naval Reserve. He married the love of his life, Mary Heath, on August 9, 1957, in Kenilworth, IL. They spent a wonderful three-month honeymoon traveling in Europe on $5 a day, in a Volkswagen Bug they purchased when they arrived, visiting relatives in Scotland and exploring together. He began his career at Procter & Gamble in Ottawa, IL, and Mary would bake the cake products for him to take on sales calls as samples. Their family later moved to Northbrook, IL, and Glencoe, IL, where he was an active member of Skokie Country Club. He and Mary moved to Lake Forest, IL, in 1997.

He went to work in sales and marketing management for the Morton Salt Company, where he launched his foodservice career. In 1974, he became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Morton Salt Company with the responsibility for all multi-plant divisions and more than 4,000 employees. He became a member of the Young Presidents Organization the same year. Two years later, his alma mater, Lake Forest College, named him “Man of the Year.” At that time, he was also President and Trustee of the Northbrook, IL School Board and built the first Special Education Building in the area.

He left Morton Salt to become president and partner of Don Roth Restaurants in Chicago, IL. A few years later, he was asked to be the President and CEO of North American Foodservice Companies, Inc., one of the largest food distribution organizations in the country, with 30 affiliates and more than 100 distribution centers nationwide. He served there for ten years. He then became the President of the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago.

The Educational Foundation is the foodservice industry’s primary provider of education, training, and career development. He developed and started the ServSafe program for the industry that is used throughout the country today, and was the founder of the International Food Safety Council.

Dan was the former chairman and past president of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. He received the National Institute for Foodservice Industry’s “Diplomate Award for Outstanding Achievement.” He also served on the World Business Council and on the advisory board for the Congressional Office of Technology and work-based learning in Washington, D.C. He was an instrumental member of the team that set up the USA oil reserves during the energy crisis in the late 1970's. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1996 from Johnson and Wales University. He has served on the board of Lake Forest College, The Culinary Institute of America, The Wornick Company, Crate and Barrel, Foodhandler Inc., The Boys and Girls Club in Port Salerno, and the Samaritan Center for Boys and their families. He was a devout supporter of the Mariner Sands Chapel and La Hia, a full-service daytime safe haven for those who are unhoused.

Dan was a lover of knowledge and always planning five to ten years out. He enjoyed gardening, golf, traveling, reading, studying finances, volunteering for local charities, and especially time with his beloved family.

Dan joins his wife, Mary, in heaven. Together, they have three sons who survive him, Robert (the late Nancy Kuharik) of North Royalton, OH; Thomas (Barbara Carver) of Long Grove, IL; and John (Elizabeth Shaw) of Lake Forest, IL, eleven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Gehlert of New Bern, NC, and cousin Marcy Scott of Vero Beach, FL, along with many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of both Dan and Mary’s lives at a future date.

The family suggests Memorial contributions be sent to Mariner Sands Chapel, in support of the Mary and Dan Gescheidle music program.

Mariner Sands Chapel, 6500 SE Congressional Way, Stuart, FL 34997

https://marinersandschapel.org/