W. Ralph Gamber, 89; First to Sell Honey in Plastic Bear Containers

W. Ralph Gamber, 89, founder of a company that first packaged honey in bear-shaped plastic containers--a practice now copied around the world--died Saturday in Lancaster, Pa.

Gamber founded Dutch Gold Honey Inc. in 1946 with a $27 investment in three hives of bees. It grew into one of the world’s largest honey companies.

The bear-shaped plastic container was introduced in 1957. It symbolized such bears as Pooh of the “Winnie the Pooh” series of books and films, and their often parodied love of honey. The container became a natural for selling honey as a desirable treat.

Gamber also founded Gamber Container Co. Inc., a distributor of glass and plastic containers.