Carl Bolch, Jr. Memorial

Carl Bolch, Jr., RaceTrac’s long-time leader and chairman emeritus, passed away on December 26 at the age of 82.

Carl was a beloved and respected husband, father and leader. His remarkable passion, entrepreneurial spirit and strong work ethic inspired all he encountered throughout his life. He was the visionary leader who laid the long-term foundation of RaceTrac as a convenience store leader, and also a mentor, friend, and source of inspiration to many. Carl leaves an indelible legacy that shaped not only his beloved company but the entire convenience store industry.

A Pioneering Leader

Carl was a true pioneer in the convenience retail industry, driving innovation and redefining the customer experience for generations. Even as he rose through the ranks, he remained grounded, continuing to work in and visit RaceTrac stores to stay connected to the heart of the business.

Under his more than 50 years of visionary leadership, RaceTrac grew from 100 stores in 2 states to over 500 stores in 10 states, with a team of more than 10,500 dedicated individuals. Carl took immense pride in the RaceTrac leaders and store associate's collective efforts to bring his business dreams to life, year after year.

Throughout his more than five decades of unwavering service to RaceTrac, Carl was an invaluable and influential mentor to countless individuals and consistently demonstrated his passion for developing other leaders.

Innovation and Giving Back

Carl leveraged market trends, as well as guest and team member feedback, to influence the direction of the company. This mindset inspired him to champion innovation and convenience, guiding the way for the c-store experience of today.

He also always knew the importance of giving back. For over 25 years, Carl was a member of the Board of Directors of Camp Sunshine and served on the board for Atlanta Rotary Club. He was also a member of the Florida and American Bar Associations and proudly served on the Patient Council for The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Carl and his wife, Susan, founded the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke University School of Law and served on its board.

We have so much to thank Carl for and we know many people join us as we mourn this profound loss.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in Carl's name.