John Heldrich remembered as visionary

• New Brunswick is mourning a true visionary who spearheaded the city's revitalization
• John J. Heldrich, of Highland Park, a retired Johnson & Johnson executive, died Tuesday at 88
• Heldrich also was the founder of New Brunswick Tomorrow

NEW BRUNSWICK – The city is mourning the loss of a true visionary who spearheaded the city's revitalization.

John J. Heldrich, of Highland Park, retired vice president of administration and retired member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors at Johnson & Johnson, died Tuesday at 88. Heldrich also was the founder of New Brunswick Tomorrow, the nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of city residents.

"John wasn't only the founder of New Brunswick Tomorrow, but he was my friend and my mentor," said New Brunswick Tomorrow president Jeffrey Vega, who will be leaving the organization at the end of the year to serve as president and CEO of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. "It was a privilege to have known him for the nearly 22 years that I've been here. I even met my wife through him."

Vega said he has fond memories of Heldrich.

"He was compassionate and humble but also a real visionary," Vega said. "Early on, he always said (that) to revitalize the city, you can't do it alone by brick and mortar. You have to address the needs of people who live in the city. There are still cities to this day that don't get that right."

Vega said that as he moves on, he will never forget the lessons learned from his mentor.

"As I move on from NBT, I carry his learnings and his guidance," he said. "I know he will continue to guide me from upstairs."

Heldrich was born Jan. 15, 1926, in New Brunswick and was raised in Highland Park, according to a post on the Johnson & Johnson History Blog. Upon graduating from Rutgers, he went to work for Johnson & Johnson in 1950. He worked for the company until his retirement in 1991, according to the blog.

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Heldrich, who enjoyed a very successful and productive 41-year career at Johnson & Johnson," said Alex Gorsky, chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson & Johnson. "In addition to serving as a credo-based leader in our company, John was a great supporter of the New Brunswick community and was instrumental in revitalizing the downtown area. He will be sincerely missed by all who knew him, though his legacy will endure through his many contributions."

Heldrich also was very interested in workforce issues, said longtime friend Carl Van Horn, distinguished professor of Public Policy and director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, part of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

He was the founding chair of the New Jersey State Employment and Training Commission, where he served for more than two decades.

"That's where I got to know him because that's my interest, as well," Van Horn said. "Almost 20 years ago, he asked me to give him a proposal to put together for what he called a national center of excellence on these issues at the university. Of course, I did."

Heldrich donated funding to the university to help endow the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, which was established at Rutgers in 1997.

"The center studies the labor market, evaluates programs and develops strategies to improve the nation's workforce," Van Horn said. "We are a nonpartisan university-based research center."

The center, which started with one employee, has grown to a staff of about 30, he said.

Heldrich was chair of the Heldrich Center's National Advisory Board and worked closely with board members, prospective and current financial supporters, outside leaders, staff and Rutgers leadership.

Later, Heldrich, Van Horn and others raised funding to support a new facility to house the research center.

"Our vision was to take this block that was blighted and turn it into what it is today — a mixed-used development that includes condominiums, a hotel, a conference center and research center," Van Horn said.

Heldrich also was a steadfast and generous supporter of the arts and their central role in making New Brunswick a cultural hub, Van Horn said.

"He was a founding member of the boards of the State Theatre, Crossroads Theatre and George Street Playhouse," Van Horn said.

Heldrich had an "enormous impact on the community," Van Horn said.

"He was an all-around nice guy," Van Horn added. "He was a modest person. What always sums up John is that he had this steady moral compass about what was right and wrong. Everybody I knew trusted him. He was a man of his word and a man of honor. There just aren't a lot of people like that. He got so much done but was modest about it. Mainly what he did was give back to the community. He is irreplaceable There is just no one who glues all of those different interests together — the city, the university, the cultural community and Johnson & Johnson."

"There are so many words that could be used to describe John Heldrich, but simply stated, he was a good and a great man," Mayor James Cahill said. "The city of New Brunswick that we know today would not exist but for the love, compassion and commitment of John Heldrich.

"Our city, my family and I have lost a dear and beloved friend. We are forever grateful and blessed that John Heldrich was such a vital part of our lives."

Staff Writer Susan Loyer: 732-565-7243; sloyer@mycentraljersey.com