Burlap and Blues, The Blues Blog

The Campbell Soup Co. executive who was behind the enduring brands SpaghettiOs and Chunky Soup has died.

Donald Goerke was 83. A Campbell spokesman confirmed that Goerke died of heart failure Sunday at his home in Delran in southern New Jersey.

Goerke was marketing research director of Campbell's Franco-American line in the early 1960s when his group started dreaming up pasta in shapes that would appeal to kids. He chose the o's. They were marketed with the unforgettable tagline, "Uh-oh, SpaghettiOs."

One of my favorite things growing up was my grandmother gave me cold spagettios with potato chips when I was not feeling well. It has turned out to be one of my favorite comfort foods.

Rest in little circles in meat sauce.