Obituary: Food Processing Magazine Mourns Passing of Diane Toops

ITASCA, Ill., Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Diane Toops, a 24-year employee of Food Processing (and our parent firm, Putman Media), died October 31 following a brief illness. Diane, a well-respected and beloved writer, was the News and Trends Editor for Food Processing magazine.

Diane delivered several key features of Food Processing magazine on a monthly basis. "Rollout," a review of new food and beverage products, was her favorite. Diane loved new food products — everything from the development and launch to the marketing of foods and beverages thrilled her. She sampled as many as she could. She truly loved everything about food.

Diane's "Toops Scoops" column won a number of writing awards over the years as she took critical issues facing the food industry and stamped them with her insightful personal commentary.

With the advent of the Internet, Diane took up blogging on our web site, three times a week delivering what her job title said: news and trends.

She tirelessly worked the floors of so many food industry trade shows over the years, never showing the fatigue that people half her age show after a day full of smiles, handshakes and note-taking. She was just as tireless in her writing, always volunteering to do the toughest cover stories, interviewing more people than most writers have the patience for.  

"With Diane's passing, the Food Processing team has lost a great colleague and dear friend," writes our publisher, Larry Bagan. "The food and beverage industry has lost a true superstar, an avid 'foodie,' a proponent and a classy example of all that is good within our industry. It's been an honor to work alongside Diane for the past four and a half years, and to have her represent our industry via Food Processing. Her sincere warmth, understanding and passion can only be matched by her unique style and love of life—and of the food and beverage industry. Diane was able to connect with everyone, from industry professionals old and young to grade school kids. While Diane kept a watchful eye on us all, now she has an even better view of all we do. Diane's memory and spirit live on."

Putman Media's CEO John Cappelletti: "I will miss Diane greatly. I can't remember a meeting we had where she didn't have a smile on her face. Putman Media has lost one of the nicest, most humble and positive people I've had the privilege to work with in my 30 years here. She personified everything that makes a great editor: a natural curiosity, a passion for her industry, a dedication to bringing new ideas and insights to her audience every month."

There's a reading I hear at a lot of funerals: "In death our life is changed, not ended." Diane isn't gone. She's just moved on the next big trend — as usual, a few steps ahead of the rest of us.

About Food Processing
Food Processing is the only B2B media franchise that covers and reaches all job functions and purchasing types - covering every food category (beverages, frozen foods, snacks, etc.), as well as reaching every job title (R&D, Plant Operations, Corporate Management, etc.). The Food Processing franchise, via its magazine, website, e-newsletters, and other media, explores the latest in ideation, research and development, processing technologies and packaging, and marketing; plus, the vital synergies that exist between and among job functions.  The August issue of Food Processing was its largest print magazine issue since 2004. This follows a similar trend for the magazine overall – Food Processing's print market share has doubled since 2008.

About Putman Media
Putman Media (http://www.putmanmedia.com) is a diversified media and marketing services organization serving specialized niches in food processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, plant services and automation. Its award-winning media brands include Food Processing, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Control, Control Design, Plant Services and Sustainable Plant. The company provides a broad reach of services, including digital and print advertising solutions, lead generation and nurturing campaigns, and custom media solutions.

Contact Information:
Dave Fusaro, Editor in Chief
Food Processing/Wellness Foods
630-467-1301 
[email protected]

SOURCE Putman Media