Mark Hendrickson of First Class Vending in Los Angeles, CA, succumbed to cancer after a battle against the disease.
Hendrickson had been in the vending industry for nearly 40 years working first for his father, Ralph Hendrickson, at Serve-O-Mation.
Hendrickson began as a route driver and quickly rose through the operational ranks at R.J. Bradberry. He was known for his attention to detail with all of routes and drivers he managed, according to Matthew Marsh, founder of First Class Vending. He gave great care to the machines he managed and could always be counted on to have the cleanest and best merchandised machines in the company.
Later in Hendrickson’s career, he moved into purchasing management and was in charge of all warehousing and purchasing for the various depot operations developed by First Class Vending. According to Marsh, Hendrickson had a sixth sense, a vending sense. “He was a human computer in regards to ordering properly and maintaining stock in the warehouse,” said Marsh. “He rarely used a computer. The warehouse was never empty and never overstocked.”
Marsh recalled that Hendrickson was a fun-loving gentleman with a dry quick wit who could have you in stitches in a wink but was very serious when it came to his warehouses and making sure they were always well-stocked with the top products available.
“Mark was a huge sports fan and had a special place in his heart for the Dodgers and his beloved Denver Broncos…” What about them Broncos” was a familiar Monday morning routine during football season,” said Marsh. “Mark was a valuable asset to First Class Vending and his presence over the many food purchasing operations will be sorely missed by all.”
