Mel Rich Dies at 64

After a four-year battle with cancer, Mel Rich passed away on Oct. 18, 2008. Mel always believed that science should be at the root of all dietary supplement formulations and he always valued efficacy over marketability. As a child, Mel used to do work for his father, Sidney Rich, founder of Phoenix Laboratories Inc., stuffing cotton in bottles. After graduation, Mel began working the family business, but was drawn to the dietary supplement side of manufacturing and soon became the industry’s “go-to” person for any company who wanted to develop unique and credible products. Mel began to formulate and manufacture products for Great Earth Vitamin Stores. In1988, Mel and the Rich family purchased the Great Earth franchising company, and Mel became president of Great Earth. In the 1996, Mel created Bodyonics Ltd., and its brand, Pinnacle®. Mel developed many “firsts” for the dietary supplement industry, including a mega-potency multiple vitamin, a patented time-released process for use in dietary supplements and an antioxidant formula.
“Mel Rich always believed in the vision of individuality,” said Bernie Bubman, pharmacist and co-founder of Great Earth Vitamin Stores. “That is what Great Earth was based on. Belief that the unusual or the different matters and can be done if one has the will. And he worked harder than anyone to prove it.”
“Mel Rich was one of the pioneers of new supplements, new ways to increase the bioavailability of nutrients,” said Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., author of “The Vitamin Bible” and co-founder of Great Earth Vitamin Stores. “He was always looking and researching to better the industry with quality products. His enthusiasm to share what he discovered with me is something I will never forget. I will miss him and so will the whole industry.”
Mel Rich was born on Nov. 29, 1944 in New York. He graduated from Columbia University, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1968 with a degree in pharmacy. He married Ronni Cohen in 1975. He is survived by his wife, Ronni Rich; two daughters, Hallie Rich and Barrie Rich, M.D.; and his mother, Charlotte Rich.