Larry Foster, who led Johnson & Johnson’s PR campaign during the Tylenol cyanide poisonings of 1982 and 1986, died Oct. 17. He was 88.
The former VP-corporate relations worked at J&J for more than three decades, serving three CEOs, before retiring in 1990.
The Penn State graduate worked was a reporter and editor at the Newark News before moving to J&J in 1957 to help establish its first PR department.
Upon retirement, Foster wrote a biography of Robert Wood Johnson, a history of J&J ("A Company That Cares") and "Robert Wood Johnson and His Credo: A Living Legacy."
Seven people died in the Chicago area in 1982 after swallowing Extra Strength Tylenol laced with cyanide.
A product recall began nearly a week later after another poisoning incident in California. J&J offered a $100K reward after the 1982 and 1986 deaths.
PRSA gave Foster its Gold Anvil Award in 1989 for his contributions to PR. [J&J also got a special Silver Anvil in 1983.]
Foster was president of the Arthur W. Page Society (1990-1992) and chairman of The Wisemen (1986-90).
A funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Oct. 21, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 315 1st St., Westfield, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, Foster's family has asked the contributions should go to Central PA Food Bank, 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109.
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