Art Oberto, former voice and face of Oberto beef jerky, dies at 95
Aug 29, 2022, 2:31 PM
Hydroplanes have been a Seattle summer staple since the early 1950s, and Oberto has been one of the top names associated with the Seafair hydro races. (Photo from KIRO 7)
(Photo from KIRO 7)
Art Oberto, the former president of the Oberto meat company, died Friday, according to bizjournals.com.
According to family history, Oberto Snacks was founded in Seattle by Constantino Oberto in 1918.
On Labor Day, 1943, Constantino died, and his 16-year-old son, Art, took over the company.
Even while completing classes at West Seattle High School, Art resisted pressure to sell the company.
In the 1960s, Oberto introduced its flagship jerky products and introduced it into Safeway stores in 1967.
According to bizjournals.com, Art was the face and voice of the company into his 90s. He would be seen driving around town in the “Jerky Mobile,” a 1957 Lincoln Town Car in the company’s red, green and white colors.
Art would hand out free samples and ink pens that said, “I stole this pen from Art Oberto.”
The company also sponsored a hydroplane race boat from 1975 to 2015.
Art’s daughter, Laura Oberto, succeeded him as the company’s president in 1991.
Art died at an assisted living facility in Seattle. He was 95.
