Zane D. Showker Institute for Responsible Leadership

Zane D. Showker—businessman, philanthropist and generous friend of Bridgewater College—was a role model of leadership and civic responsibility. Showker gave the College $1 million in 2002 to establish the Zane D. Showker Institute for Responsible Leadership.

The youngest of nine children, Showker was proud that his parents named him after novelist Zane Grey. Both his parents died when he was 12 years old. Determined to take care of himself, Showker began delivering newspapers in Craigsville, Va. After attending the University of Richmond for one year, he joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II.

In 1950, he established Harrisonburg Fruit and Produce as owner and general manager. The company thrived, and, in 1974, it merged with SYSCO Food Services, the nation’s largest wholesale food distributor. Showker served as president and general manager until 1991, when he became chairman emeritus of SYSCO Food Services of Virginia.

Showker’s entrepreneurial spirit was not limited to one company. He was also involved in numerous business partnerships throughout the Shenandoah Valley, encouraging the growth of small business in the area. He served as president and board member for many organizations and received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his contributions to the community.