TACOMA, Wash. – November 4, 2024 – Sprague Pest Solutions is honored to celebrate the retirement of two highly respected team members who have dedicated decades of service and excellence. Bob Ruden, Route Manager of the Tacoma, WA branch, and Chris Van Antwerp, Branch Manager for Pasco, WA, are concluding their careers after a combined 46 years of outstanding contributions to Sprague, its customers, and the pest management industry.
Bob Ruden began his journey in 1996, joining the company as a Route Manager. For over 28 years, Ruden has taken immense pride in his role as the lead fumigator for the Puget Sound area. A vocal advocate for safety, he consistently worked to protect his teammates and foster a culture of safety within the organization. Throughout his career, he maintained strong and multi-decade long relationships with many of Tacoma’s most iconic institutions. A veteran of the U.S. Army, his military experience was a crucial component when mentoring and inspiring new team members.
Chris Van Antwerp joined Sprague in 2006 as a Route Manager in Eastern Washington. With his dedication and leadership, he quickly advanced within the organization, becoming Operations Manager in 2013 before being promoted to Branch Manager in 2015. During his tenure, Van Antwerp led the Pasco branch to achieve the prestigious Branch of the Year award twice—in 2015 and again in 2023—a testament to his commitment to excellence. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, his military background enriched his leadership style, instilling a sense of discipline, resilience, and integrity in the teams he led.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate their retirement with us,” said AJ Treleven, Director of Operations. “Having employees who’ve spent decades serving our clients and mentoring their teams is incredibly meaningful. Their deep commitment to customer care and team development has elevated our company and set a powerful example for all of us at Sprague.”
Sprague is deeply grateful to Bob and Chris for their years of service and unwavering dedication to the clients they served. Their contributions will be felt for years to come, and their legacy lives on in the knowledge and inspiration they’ve imparted.