Apr 30, 2018Prominent fruit grower Josh Wunsch dies suddenly
Michigan Farm Bureau’s (MFB) Farm News Media has reported the death of Grand Traverse County, Michigan cherry grower/industry advocate Josh Wunsch at the age of 69.
According to MFB’s report:
“He was one of the good ones,” said Ben LaCross, who remembers Wunsch fondly after the third-generation fruit farmer, former MFB director and active farming promoter, died suddenly April 25.
“Whenever I talked with him or he was giving me advice, he’d throw something in just to keep me off-balance with his dry humor,” said LaCross, who was mentored in the fruit industry and MFB by Wunsch. “Then that sly smile would come out. His smile was his trademark, and you’d know he was just trying to see if you were paying attention.”
A third-generation Grand Traverse County farmer, Wunsch, his wife Barb, son Isaiah, and daughter Adele raised apples, tart cherries, and sweet cherries, both fresh and processed.
Today, Isaiah operates the farm, and Adele is in college.
Wunch’s passion for fruit was evident in his role on the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA).
“He was first elected to the MACMA board in 1988 and became Vice President in April 1999,” said Dawn Drake, general manager of MACMA. “He served in that capacity until his retirement in November 2011. As a member of the board, Josh was part of some difficult decisions facing the apple industry. Although it was painful at the time, those decisions helped get the Michigan apple industry back on the right track.”
Although Wunsch had transitioned to a higher percentage of fresh fruit on the farm, he “always understood the critical importance of collective bargaining and was eager to identify, encourage and mentor new leaders within the industry,” Drake said. “Josh was an active and enthusiastic participant in board discussions,” she said. “When he’d rock back in his board chair, clasp his hands and look up at the ceiling, everyone knew to take a deep breath, because we were going to be there a while longer.”
Well-known in Congressional offices and respected for his knowledge and expertise during his time on both MFB and MACMA boards, Wunsch was always willing to help.”
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Wunsch; and children, Isaiah and Adele.
For more on the report, visit here.
