Bob Moore had a surprise on his birthday this February 15. The 81-year-old Hero of Character and founder of "Bob's Red Mill" organic foods received many gifts, but the surprise is what he gave away.

He announced that his company, which earns approximately $40 million per year, will soon belong to his employees. He's not retiring, though. He says, "I may have given them the company, but the boss part is still mine."

Mr. Moore started this company almost by accident. He was an electrical and mechanical engineer, not a miller. But he read a book about stone-grinding, the traditional method of milling grain, and something clicked for him. After his wife Charlee had begun to tell him about the benefits of whole-grain foods, they started milling their own grain.

Years later, they decided to retire. They moved to Oregon to relax and enjoy a life of leisure, but something in town caught Bob's eye. He was out for a walk one day, thinking, when he passed an abandoned mill.

Thirty years and four mills later, "Bob's Red Mill" is one of the biggest producers of organic whole-grain foods in the country. Their gluten-free products are a lifesaver for the millions of Americans who suffer from celiac disease. Eating even miniscule amounts of gluten, a protein in wheat and related grains, can make people with celiac disease very sick. Most food companies don't make gluten-free food. Bob has committed himself to these customers, and so they've committed themselves to "Bob's Red Mill."

The company has been growing at a fast pace year after year. Many companies have wanted to buy Bob's business, but he always refused. Even when they offered him more money than he had ever made in his life, he still said, "No."

"It’s been my dream all along to turn this company over to the employees," Bob said. "I get to spend every day with our many loyal and long-time employees who will now share in ownership." His company didn't succeed because of his hard work - it succeeded because of his hard work, AND the hard work of his millers, packagers, salespeople, and executives.

Bob wants them to enjoy the company's success as much as he has. In this age of lay-offs, mergers, and "Too Big to Fail," it's refreshing to see such a humble and fair businessman in action. But Bob doesn't want his good deeds to end there. Roger Farner, one of the employees and new owners, sees the greater plan. "Bob is basically passing the entrepreneurial torch on to his employees and is instilling in us [the idea] that hard work provides rewards."

That's what's so great about good deeds. When you do one, you're improving the world in your own way, and you're also inspiring others to improve the world in their way. Let's hear it for Bob Moore! If you have stories of inspiring Heroes of Character, please let us know. And if you'd like to learn about thousands of heroes from all over the world, come in to the National Liberty Museum. We're located at 321 Chestnut St., right in the heart of historic Old City Philadelphia. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

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