Inductees

He’ll never forget the day. Back in late 2004, Price Cutter Supermarkets Vice President Rob Marsh arrived for the annual Celebration of Sharing presented by the McQueary Family.

That’s the day in which more than 40 Ozarks children’s charities would receive their checks from the PGA Korn Ferry Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper. The reaction from the charities, well, Marsh wasn’t quite prepared for the emotional scene that morning.

“The biggest eye-opener for me was the first Celebration of Sharing,” Marsh said. “I knew it was important what we were doing. But that day, that made all the work you do the entire year worth it.”

Marsh has played a major role in the tournament’s success, and it’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly bestowed its President’s Award on him in February 2021.

The award is presented to individuals who champion the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and sports across the state. Marsh, the Vice President of Operations and Perishables for Price Cutter Supermarkets, certainly has.

The 1991 Kickapoo High School graduate is in his 23rd year with Price Cutter Supermarkets, a corporate sponsor of the Hall of Fame. Since 2004, he has been the company’s primary link for the PCCC, which has gifted nearly $17.4 million to Ozarks children’s charities since 1990.

That’s significant. In fact, 92.5 percent of the PCCC’s total – or $16,078,141 – has been gifted since Price Cutter Supermarkets became a presenting or title sponsor 22 years ago. The tournament is managed by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

“Rob and I have worked together for the past 17 years,” President & Executive Director Jerald Andrews said. “Not only has he been a member of the Governing Board of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, but he has been our constant link with Price Cutter as we have worked jointly to grow the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper.

“Every year, he challenges us to grow the tournament in way of charity support,” Andrews added. “He has consistently brought new programs and activities to the table which in turn generate additional dollars for the charities. You can’t have a professional relationship like that without having a close personal friendship. He has not only been a close friend but an inspiration in so many ways. I am so excited and privileged to recognize him with the President’s Award!”

In essence, Marsh has proven that, if you’re unafraid to roll up your sleeves, you can have a say in your community’s direction.

Having previously worked for Smitty’s and Albertson’s, Marsh has risen from Assistant Manager within Price Cutter to a number of roles: Manager of the Price Cutter at Kansas Expressway and Grand Avenue, District Manager, Director of Planning & Development, Director of Operations and Vice President of Sales & Merchandising. He was once named by Supermarket News as a Supermarket Rising Leader, and a 40 Under 40 by the Springfield Business Journal.

However, that doesn’t quite tell his true story.

When Marsh left college to work in the grocery business, he planned to out-work everybody.

“I told myself, ‘I’m going to be somebody,’” Marsh said. “My father’s (Gene) advice was, ‘If you want something, you have to work for it. Nothing is free.’”

That explains why Marsh created detailed store displays and self-taught himself about refrigeration, construction and engineering. He taught himself how to design stores.

Along the way, he fueled the success of the PCCC’s charities. Several assist with developmentally disabled kids. Others help cover bills for families whose infants face pediatric emergencies. Some comfort families escaping domestic violence. The list goes on.

And, every year, Marsh makes certain to attend the Celebration of Sharing. He not only unveils the overall check, but hand-delivers the checks to each charity director.

For that, he thanks a big mentor, Price Cutter CEO Erick Taylor.

“Erick believed in me and pushed me,” Marsh said. “I wouldn’t have what I have today without Mr. Taylor. He’ll do anything for me, and I’d do anything for him.”

Over the years, Marsh has long had the support of his wife, Janelle, and their children, Christian and Isabella.

Because of them, Marsh has fought the good fight the past couple of years following a cancer diagnosis.

“I can’t sit and sulk about it,” Marsh said. “I choose to fight it. You can’t have it get to you or that’ll do more damage.”

Instead, he has done positive work. For charities. For the community.

What an inspiration, indeed.