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This Just In…
In memoriam: John R. Beardsley, APR, past PRSA president
September 4, 2010
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John R. Beardsley, APR, retired CEO of Minneapolis-based communications firm Padilla Speer Beardsley, died Thursday night from complications following heart surgery. He was 73.
Beardsley, who began his career as a journalist with the Associated Press, was part of the communications departments at Pillsbury Co. and Dayton Hudson Corp. before joining Padilla and Speer, Inc. in 1970. He was named CEO in 1987 shortly after the firm merged with Brum and Anderson and became Padilla Speer Beardsley. He retired at the end of 2001.
“One of our firm’s core values – Keep Learning – reflects John’s intense desire to understand the triggers that motivate action from customers, investors, employees and voters,” said Lynn Casey, APR, Padilla Speer Beardsley’s current CEO and Beardsley’s successor. “His inspiration came from astonishingly diverse sources ranging from classic literature to pop culture to neuroscience. His most recent passion, social network theory, is at the root of the social media campaigns and word-of-mouth marketing programs that communications firms like ours are now creating for our clients.”
Professionalizing the PR profession was another of Beardsley’s interests. He presided over PRSA's Minnesota Chapter and became the Society’s national president in 1995. An early adopter of information technology, he is credited with putting PRSA on the Internet, giving members across the country ready access to tools for advancing the profession.
Beardsley is survived by Sharon, his wife of 50 years; daughters Elizabeth (Liz) Hlavac of Minnetonka (fiance Paul Sprain), Alison Mezzenga of Hopkins (fiance Ray Beasley) and Leslie Yetka of Minnetonka (husband Christopher); grandchildren Justin Mezzenga, Lauren Hlavac, and Benjamin and Katherine Yetka; siblings Doug Foster, Ross Foster, Deborah (Deb) Tinney and Sandra Barkman; and numerous cousins.
Plans for a memorial service are pending. In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Washburn Center for Children, 2430 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404.
Ed Note: We encourage readers to use the comments section (by clicking the "View Comments" link below) to share your favorite memories about John and pay tribute to his work in the profession.
Comments
Jim Gorman says:
I worked at PSB in the mid-nineties. John was always a strong presence at the firm and a disruptive thinker. He inspired through example and had time for everyone on staff. I still remember his desk to the immediate right of the front door of the old PSB headquarters on Franklin. It was appropriate positioning, as he always lead from the front.
Del Galloway, APR, Fellow PRSA - President and CEO of PRSA, 2004 says:
I am saddened at John's passing. He was a man of big ideas and a larger than life personality. We are better for his example. Peace and God's blessings to Sharon and his family. Del
Cheryl Procter-Rogers says:
I first came to know John when he came before the PRSA national nominating committee in the 90s. We all knew he would become president and leave an indelible mark on PRSA, the profession and all he touched. His personal book of quotes and prose should be enshrined in the PR Hall of Fame. His booming voice and infectious smile will be missed. Cheryl
Reed Bolton Byrum says:
John Beardsley was a magnificent leader and friend. His presence will remain with his colleagues, friends and fellow workers. It was an honor to know John and work with him at PRSA.
Kathleen L. Lewton, APR Fellow PRSA, 2001 PRSA President says:
John's unique outlook on life and his amazing intellect and sense of curiousity made him not only a superb public relations professional, but a wonderful person to have as a friend and colleague. He continually challenged himself -- and thus, all of us who were privileged to be in his coterie -- to look beyond the obvious. His superb command of the English language (the king's English, his dramatic cadence, and his ability to truly "turn a phrase" made his every utterance memorable. John sought always to elevate the discussion and the debate, to hold us to the highest standards of crisp thinking and to ensure that we had truly explored all options before coming to decisions. He was, quite simply, in a class by himself as an erudite, learned man who was gracious enough to loan his wit, his wisdom and his winning personality to our profession, and to PRSA. One cannot think of John without thinking of Shakespeare, and the phrase that has not left my mind since hearing this sad news is the classic epitaph: Good night, sweet prince. There is a hole left in the heart and soul of PRSA, and our consolation, if there is any to be had, is to picture he and Betsy Ann, figuring out how to organize and civilize the hereafter.
Rosanna Fiske, APR says:
This summer, I received a very short note from John that read: "Rosanna, you're just a few months from becoming PRSA's CEO. Isn't it cool?" That's just the kind of man John was ... thoughtful, creative, and hip. He always managed to make me laugh and wonder with his thought-provoking questions and statements. Isn't it cool he was a part of our lives?
Roger Friedensen says:
What a loss, not only for public relations but for the world. Calling John a "Renaissance Man" in some ways doesn't do justice to him as I'm not sure anyone during the Renaissance save a handful of great thinkers and doers could truly measure up to Mr. Beardsley. I was fortunate enough to meet John through my boss and his good friend Joe Epley 20 years ago, and I remember being blown away by his intellect, his acumen and, well, his vocabulary. Dang, I had to carry a dictionary with me during our conversations (which was quite a task before the iPhone . . .). Seriously, though, his contributions to our field through his work, the example he set and the people he hired, trained and inspired are legendary. We shall not see the likes of John for a long time, I fear. John, thank you for making me, our profession and our world a better place. We are all better off because you came along. Rest in peace, friend.
Ira Yellen, APR, Fellow PRSA says:
If it wasn't for John, I would not have been involved in PRSA at all different levels. He encouraged and many other PR professionals to take an active role for ourselves and for future PR professionals. He was a fine example of a mentor whose counsel and compassion will be sorely missed. Thank you John for your wise counsel for helping me in my career along with many others.
Michael Bardin, APR says:
We will miss you John. We are rich with memories of you and your magnificent influence on all our lives. From our early days together on the PRSA Board through all your stunning accomplishments throughout your career I will always cherish our friendship. We will miss your wisdom, your radiance, your counsel, your understanding, your civility. Perhaps most of all we'll remember the class that you brought to the the profession and to our lives. Condolences to Sharon and your family.
Phyllis Goodman, APR says:
I'm so sorry to learn of John's death. He was of great help to me when I was president of the New Mexico chapter back in the 90s. I remember him as just a nice person eager to support the profession and always available for advice and counsel.
Carolyn Bobo, APR, Fellow PRSA says:
John was one of the first national leaders I met when I became involved with PRSA back in the day. I so enjoyed his intellect, charm and outlook on life, and I remain appreciative of his interest in every member, every chapter ... and the world in general.
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