People
Robert I. Bentley, Jr.
Robert I. Bentley, Jr. and Ralph Rambo at the Muirson Label Company; c. 1925.
Robert Bentley was an original investor in the Muirson Label and Crate Company. In addition to financial support, Bentley provided an invaluable gateway to the burgeoning agricultural industry. His father, Robert I. Bentley Sr. was president of the California Packing Corporation (CalPak) and a pioneer in the business. Robert Bentley was named Vice-President of the Muirson Label Company at its founding in 1914. Service in World War I briefly interrupted his career, but he returned and took over presidency of the company after his duty ended. He was Muirson’s president for 33 years and chairman of the board for ten.
Bentley’s considerable talent in business and sales brought the Muirson Label Company to a position of great prominence and success. He was responsible for the large expansion of the physical plant in the 1920’s and 1930’s. He also personally handled many of the big exclusive accounts on which Muirson built its reputation. Ralph Rambo wrote that Bentley was “a gay blade with irresistible personality and charm” who “had the inherent propensity of combining successful business transactions with the joy of living.” Robert Bentley died in 1968 at the age of 80.
