March 5, 2008 - Henry Branstetter, former president of Ocean Garden Products in San Diego, passed away in Wilmington, N.C., on Sunday at the age of 94.
Branstetter's first job in the seafood industry was with John Ingles in Modesto, Calif., in 1946. He then went on to work for Wilbur-Ellis in San Francisco, the nation's leading seafood importer at the time, eventually becoming manager of the company's seafood division in New York. In 1957, he became VP of sales and marketing for frozen shrimp importer Crest Importing Co. in San Diego.
Branstetter went to work for Ocean Garden Products in San Diego as president and CEO in 1964, helping it become one of the nation's largest seafood companies. He was also instrumental in the company's merger with Crest Importing.
Branstetter retired in 1977, when he formed the Cultured Seafood Institute, a public relations and consulting firm specializing in aquaculture.
Branstetter is survived by his stepdaughter, Suzanne Moss, and stepson, Ernie Wayland, a shrimp-industry veteran who works for International Marketing Specialists of Newton, Mass.
A memorial service will be held in San Diego on March 28.
