Ralph Leroy Nafziger

{{Short description|American businessman (1887–1965)}}

Ralph Leroy "Roy" Nafziger (November 17, 1887 – September 17, 1965) was the founder of the Interstate Bakeries Corporation, which eventually became Hostess Brands.

{{Infobox person

|name=Ralph Nafziger

|image=

|alt=

|caption=

|birth_name=Ralph Leroy Nafziger

|birth_date={{birth date|1887|11|17}}

|birth_place=Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.

|death_date={{death date and age|1965|9|17|1887|11|17}}

|death_place=Los Angeles, California, U.S.

|death_cause=

|nationality=American

|alma_mater=Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

|occupation=Entrepreneur

|website=

}}

Nafziger was born into a family of bakers on November 17, 1887, in Kansas City, Missouri.{{cite web|url=http://www.kchistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Local&CISOPTR=6307&CISOBOX=1&REC=1 |title=Missouri Valley Special Collections : Item Viewer |publisher=Kchistory.org |date=1905-04-13 |accessdate=2012-11-22}} He was studying Engineering and Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute when he was called home to assist with untangling the business affairs of his father,[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19300331&id=3ekxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uuIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3628,6425617 Reading Eagle - Mar 31, 1930] Edward Nafziger, who could not pay a chattel mortgage he had taken with a wholesale grocery company.[2] Ralph Nafziger started selling bread on a route serviced by a horse and converted milk wagon. He would hire a worker to take over the route, build another one, and then repeat the process.{{cite news |title=Leaders in our Town |newspaper=Kansas City Star |date=7 January 1951}}{{page needed|date=December 2021}}

Nafziger set up a second bakery{{cite news |title=Leaders in our Town |newspaper=Kansas City Star |date=7 January 1951}}{{page needed|date=December 2021}} in the basement of a burned out{{cite news |title=Leaders in our Town |newspaper=Kansas City Star |date=7 January 1951}}{{page needed|date=December 2021}} Christian church at 6th and Prospect Avenue in the Kansas City's Northeast Neighborhood. After initial success, Nafziger's Baking expanded and, in 1925, he merged his 10 baking plants with Purity Bakers. Nafziger’s architectural training allowed him to design some of his own plants{{cite news |title=Leaders in our Town |newspaper=Kansas City Star |date=7 January 1951}}{{page needed|date=December 2021}} In 1927, Nafziger bought a controlling interest in Schulze Baking. In 1930, Nafziger announced a merger between his Schulze Baking company and seven baking companies on the west coast of the United States. The new company was called the Interstate Bakeries Corporation. Baked goods were sold under the Hostess brand. In 1937, Nafziger started a snack cake brand in Georgia called Dolly Madison, The name was inspired by first lady Dolley Madison known for elegant parties. The brand's slogan was "Cakes and pastries fine enough to serve at the White House." * {{cite book |title= Nutshell History of North Carolina |last=Fortson |first=Ben |year=2016 |publisher=History Press |isbn= 978-1467119283

|url= https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467119283 }}

Nafziger was married to Nathalie Schaefer, and was later divorced. His second marriage to Vee M. Bear lasted from April 9, 1949 until June 17, 1958.{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1958 |title=Divorce to Nafziger |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AMNEWS&req_dat=0D3682CDBA17C660&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Aimage%252Fv2%253A11FF2A92A519802A%2540EANX-158A94F34A0510F8%25402436372-158A0563FB3C3674%25401-158A0563FB3C3674%2540/hlterms%3Aedward%2520nafziger |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=Kansas City Times |pages=2}} He had two children: Ralph Leroy Nafziger, Jr. and Nathalie Nafziger.{{cite news |title=Obituaries |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=19 September 1965}} page F9 He had homes in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Chicago, and Kansas City.{{cite news |title=Leaders in our Town |newspaper=Kansas City Star |date=7 January 1951}}{{page needed|date=December 2021}} Nafziger died on September 17, 1965, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 77.https://newspaperarchive.com/emporia-gazette/1965-09-20/page-6/ Emporia Gazette Monday, September 20, 1965 / The Interstate Bakeries Corporation continued growing; in 1995, it acquired Continental Baking Company (owners of the Wonder Bread and Hostess product lines) and in 2009 became Hostess Brands.