NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- John H. Scudder, who succeeded his mother as president of the Laura Scudder potato chip company, has died of a heart attack at the age of 70.
Scudder, who died Monday, became president of the company when his mother Laura died in 1958.
He retired in 1960.
Scudder made headlines in 1976 when he was abducted in his dentist's parking lot and forced into a van by two armed men. The kidnappers demanded a $250,000 ransom but Scudder foiled the scheme by feigning a heart attack and falling out of the van into the street.
The kidnappers could not drive away in the traffic snarl that resulted and they ran off, leaving their wallets and motel key in the van.
Scudder's mother, Laura, founded the potato chip firm in 1926 and ran it until her death in 1958. The family had sold out to Signal Oil and Gas Co., in 1957. The firm was purchased by Pet Milk Co., in 1962.
Scudder is survived by his wife, four sons and two sisters.
Contributor: Jean Wilson (48841367)
Scudder, who died Monday, became president of the company when his mother Laura died in 1958.
He retired in 1960.
Scudder made headlines in 1976 when he was abducted in his dentist's parking lot and forced into a van by two armed men. The kidnappers demanded a $250,000 ransom but Scudder foiled the scheme by feigning a heart attack and falling out of the van into the street.
The kidnappers could not drive away in the traffic snarl that resulted and they ran off, leaving their wallets and motel key in the van.
Scudder's mother, Laura, founded the potato chip firm in 1926 and ran it until her death in 1958. The family had sold out to Signal Oil and Gas Co., in 1957. The firm was purchased by Pet Milk Co., in 1962.
Scudder is survived by his wife, four sons and two sisters.
Contributor: Jean Wilson (48841367)
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- John H. Scudder, who succeeded his mother as president of the Laura Scudder potato chip company, has died of a heart attack at the age of 70.
Scudder, who died Monday, became president of the company when his mother Laura died in 1958.
He retired in 1960.
Scudder made headlines in 1976 when he was abducted in his dentist's parking lot and forced into a van by two armed men. The kidnappers demanded a $250,000 ransom but Scudder foiled the scheme by feigning a heart attack and falling out of the van into the street.
The kidnappers could not drive away in the traffic snarl that resulted and they ran off, leaving their wallets and motel key in the van.
Scudder's mother, Laura, founded the potato chip firm in 1926 and ran it until her death in 1958. The family had sold out to Signal Oil and Gas Co., in 1957. The firm was purchased by Pet Milk Co., in 1962.
Scudder is survived by his wife, four sons and two sisters.
Contributor: Jean Wilson (48841367)
Scudder, who died Monday, became president of the company when his mother Laura died in 1958.
He retired in 1960.
Scudder made headlines in 1976 when he was abducted in his dentist's parking lot and forced into a van by two armed men. The kidnappers demanded a $250,000 ransom but Scudder foiled the scheme by feigning a heart attack and falling out of the van into the street.
The kidnappers could not drive away in the traffic snarl that resulted and they ran off, leaving their wallets and motel key in the van.
Scudder's mother, Laura, founded the potato chip firm in 1926 and ran it until her death in 1958. The family had sold out to Signal Oil and Gas Co., in 1957. The firm was purchased by Pet Milk Co., in 1962.
Scudder is survived by his wife, four sons and two sisters.
Contributor: Jean Wilson (48841367)
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