I just heard on NPR that Dave Thomas of the Wendy's fast food chain has died after battling liver cancer for over 10 years, he had had a quadruple heart bypass in 1996, and had been on diaylsis for over a year as well, he was only 69.

I wonder if he ate too many of his own food products that he made famous at his Wendy's restaurant? And if he had been on one of those cholesterol reducing drugs after his heart attack and by-pass surgery? Those cholesterol reducing drugs are very effective at reducing total cholesterol, but have serious liver side effects, especially taken long term.

Certainly would be a shame if what made him famous also ended up killing him!!! I always loved his "kitschy" commercials.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 08, 2002

Answers

Perhaps as if Colonel Sanders had been attacked by thousands of irate chickens.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 08, 2002.

One less bigot in the world.

-- W Schaeffer (support@microsoft.com), January 08, 2002.

I worked with Dave years ago when he was at a Kentucky Fried Chicken place here in Fort Wayne, IN. He was a poor orphaned adoptee making good against all odds. He named his restaurant chain after his first daughter. Quite a story there.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), January 08, 2002.

This guy lived his dream. How many of us can say the same?

Mary

-- Mary (zoots25@hotmail.com), January 08, 2002.

Dave was very likeable.

I didn't have much use for anything but the Frostees.

-- Rick (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 08, 2002.

Long live square hamburgers and biggie fries!!!!

-- TomK(mich) (tjk@cac.net), January 08, 2002.

His political views opposite mine in many ways, Mr. Thomas did lots of good while he was with us, gave away millions to very good causes,and actively worked for the benefit of children, if one examines his bio.

I'm curious to know what "W Schaeffer" means by his/her statement? I preferred to ask privately, but the address seems to be not accessible?

And to my friend Annie: hey, we're talking about food, and can happily AGREE! :) Ain't that grand?? I feel he was a good man, and and no doubt a whiz at business, but he was still selling the status quo junk food that has at least some effect on public health. Conventionally raised meat (and some veggies) sandwiched between sugary, white-flour bread, and potatoes fried in carcinogenic/artery- clogging hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ah, the American way!!

Bon Appetit!

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 08, 2002.

I'll have to defend Wendy's a little bit. Way back in the 80's in my teen years I worked for them. They were the only fast food chain at that time that offered a salad bar, salad to go, chili, baked potatoes, taco salad etc. Their ground beef was actually reasonably good quality used fresh and formed into patties right there in the restaraunt. There wasn't too much shrinkage so I'm thinking it was chuck or better. I always loved to make a frosty float!!

-- Susan (smtroxel@socket.net), January 08, 2002.

Dave Thomas had the "pioneer spirit" that we all strive for! As someone previously stated, he was an orphan who lived his dream through his restaurants. I only hope that I one day attain the same passion for a dream that he obviously possessed.

-- joe lehnen (joetree@shentel.net), January 08, 2002.

Yep, Earthmomma, we might not agree what is the best and healthiest for us all to eat, we do recognize what is best NOT to eat, don't we :-)!!!

W.S. Please clarify why you think Dave Thomas is such a bigot??? Or perhaps you got fired from your first real job that was at a Wendy's??? That wouldn't make him a bigot, but perhaps just a good judge of the character behind unimportant things like the color of your skin.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 08, 2002.

Good grief! W Schaeffer says: "One less bigot in the world. "

-- W Schaeffer (support@microsoft.com), January 08, 2002."

A Bigot? Dave Thomas? What on earth or heavens do you mean by this?

Of *all* people, Dave Thomas was NOT a bigot! He was a very good man!

He was an orphan and adopted........he did much for adoption orgs.. As far as I know he was *color blind* in his endeavor.....

A link for you about him...(are *YOU* a bogot? If so, why?)

Dave the "bigot" Good Man!

-- Birdlady (A_birdlady@hotmail.com), January 08, 2002.

I'm with Susan on this ... Chez Daves' was about the only quick way grab a salad and baked tater for a long time. Still can't do that at most of the other places. He was a good and caring person. It's a great loss to the community. Rest in peace Mr. Thomas. Lets keep his family in our thoughts.

-- scott (sbitzer@columbus.rr.com), January 08, 2002.

The only thing I ever heard of him being a bigot, was he decidely did not like homosexuals then again, a lot of ppl have this same bias. (Funny that someone assumed it was of a race-related bigotry, because I never heard of that as one of his inclinations)

-- Brendan K Callahan (Grinnell, IA) (sleeping@iowatelecom.net), January 09, 2002.

I have heard about the homosexual thing but I never heard Dave Thomas pointed out directly just Wendy's during the Ellen television show. Wendy's chose not to sponsor. I have never heard anything negative about either him or Wendy's other than not doing commercials during the Ellen coming out show.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 09, 2002.

Also, companies make business decisions, and if the company decides they want to appeal to one section of the marketplace rather than another, well, it's their company, and their free choice. In some cities (San Francisco, for one), it is not business-savvy to be biased against homosexuals. The opposite is true in other places.

A lot of businesses pulled their ads on the Ellen show.

I think he did good things for the larger community, and admire him for being pro-adoption.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), January 09, 2002.

I used to take the kids to Wendy's when we lived in Portland. I'd always get a baked potato & salad - the only fast food place I could get that. He seemed like a real guy - not phoney.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), January 09, 2002.

I had heard that Dave was the major shareholder in Wendy's with him gone I wonder in which direction Wendy's will go. Also, it will seem strange seeing Wendy's commercials without Dave being picked on.I liked him. And Clara Peller too! :-)

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 09, 2002.

Read the book called "Fast Food Nation". Regardless of your political beliefs or food inclinations, that will remind you of how it really is. Wendy's included.

Wendy's never could make fries.

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@wildmail.com), January 09, 2002.

Dave seemed like such a nice and humble guy. And I think that's a big part of what homesteading is about: living a more humble life. So it's as if Dave were one of us.

From what little I knew of Dave, I liked him and I'm sorry to see him go.

-- Paul Wheaton (paul@javaranch.com), January 10, 2002.

I agree with Anne, Read Fastfood Nation!!!!!!!!!!! Kim p.s. Nothingn against Mr. Thomas, just how the industry has changed america, and not for the better.

-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), January 10, 2002.

Dave Thomas is an inspiration of a man and I can't believe you folks are bad mouthing him since he has died. He summounted many obstacles to become one of the "Big Three" in the fast food industry. Not only was he from a poor family but he was also learning disabled. He had dyslexsia.(sp). He named his resturaunt chain after his daughter. He sponsered many Special Olympics and other charities for the disabled. He just didn't flaunt his charitible contributions like Walmart. He was originally from Columbus, OH and that town and the surrounding area has benefitted from his charity. You all need to get your facts straight before you start inon someone. The stuff posted here is insulting!!!!

-- Patricia Ramsey (WOOLSPIN@AOL.COM), January 11, 2002.

Patricia,are you high? I've just reread this thread and it was almost without exception kind and thoughful to Mr Thomas. Geez.........

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), January 11, 2002.

Patricia,are you high? I've just reread this thread and it was almost without exception kind and thoughful to Mr Thomas. Geez.........

-- Earthmama

No, I don't do that stuff. How many disrespctful, erroneous posts trashing a recently deceased noble man does it take for anyone to come to his defense????? With me, only ONE.

-- Patricia Ramsey (WOOLSPIN@AOL.COM), January 24, 2002.