Bernard "Bernie" Richards died June 7. His obituary included this line: "He also leaves behind his loving and caring Blue Ridge Beverage family of 32 years."

When he died, Richards was 68 years old, seven years older than Bob Archer, Blue Ridge Beverage Co.'s president and chief executive officer. Richards missed the company's 50th anniversary celebration by less than two weeks.

Richards' widow, Lou Emma Richards, said her husband loved Blue Ridge Beverage and the Archer family members who own and operate it. During 32 years, Richards worked as a route salesman, merchandiser and warehouse employee for the Roanoke County-based wholesale beverage distributor.

"He just stayed with them because he felt like the Archers were part of the family," she said. "There could have been no better people than the Archers."

This week, Bob Archer described Richards as an "old school" employee.

"He was very loyal, very hardworking and just gave every day," he said. "In his quiet way, with his sense of humor, even the young guys who came in with a different perspective thought the world of him."

Blue Ridge Beverage might be called "old school" too. Employees say the family-owned company is good to them, to customers and suppliers and dedicated to community service.

On Thursday afternoon, Archer, his mother, Regine, chairwoman of the board of directors, family members, officials from Roanoke County and others celebrated Blue Ridge Beverage's 50th anniversary under Archer ownership.

Regine and her husband, the late James Archer, purchased the company in 1959.

Bob Archer said the 50 years passed quickly.

"It snuck up on us," he said. "We're not sure where those 50 years went."

Across those five decades Blue Ridge Beverage has grown dramatically through acquisitions and other expansion strategies. Today, the company serves about 5,000 customers in 49 counties.

Archer said Blue Ridge has been blessed by dedicated employees, loyal customers and progressive suppliers that have weathered a storm of mergers and acquisitions.

"The only real sad issue -- other than the passing of many long-term, valued employees over the years -- is the fact that our father, due to his passing in 1972, never had the opportunity to participate in our years of growth and success after so many years of struggling," he said.

Archer said his father's "vision and hard work set us all up for success, and for that we can be thankful."

The company distributes fine wines, soft drinks, water, juices, the energy drink Red Bull and many brands of beer. The company's largest single supplier is the Miller Brewing Co. It also distributes brands produced by Coors Brewing Co.

Blue Ridge sells alcohol products only to retailers licensed by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Customers range from large grocery chains to small bars. Some retailers sell Blue Ridge's nonalcoholic drinks only.

Archer said the wholesale beverage industry has changed constantly during his tenure. He cited increased use of technology, ongoing consolidation among suppliers, growth of big-box retailers and pressures on distributors to expand.

"In very general terms, if you are not acquiring, in some form, at this time, you should be considering doing so or consider exiting the business," he said.

Blue Ridge's most recent acquisition occurred in May, when it purchased the malt beverage business of Virginia Distributing Co.

During Thursday's event, attended by several officials from Roanoke County, Archer recalled a time when the business and the county were at odds.

When Blue Ridge moved into its current warehouse, near the Roanoke River, the county insisted that the company raise the building site by 4 feet to take it above the flood plain.

Archer vigorously opposed that mandate, but the county prevailed. Blue Ridge occupied the building in March 1985. In November, the infamous flood of 1985 devastated the region and scores of businesses.

But not Blue Ridge Beverage.

The difference between catastrophe and continued operations?

About 4 feet, said Archer, smiling.

Neal Mattox, 53, now manager of chain store sales, has worked for Blue Ridge nearly 32 years. He started as a salesman on a truck.

"It's an exciting place to work," Mattox said. "There's always something new.

"And the family that owns this really does care about its employees' welfare," he said.

Archer was asked whether Blue Ridge will remain in the family in the years ahead.

"Absolutely," he said.