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National Association of Market Developers Mourns the Passing of Its Founder Herbert H. Wright

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[[caption]] Herbert H. Wright [[/caption]]

On January 12th, the Philip Morris family suffered an irreparable loss in the passing of Herbert H. Wright, PM's Executive Director of Urban Affairs.

Mr. Wright was not only a legend in his own time to thousands of PMers who worked with him and were touched by his special magic, he was regarded by his community and the corporate world at large as a pioneering leader in the cause of human/civil rights.

During the funeral services for him on January 14th at New York's Saint Marks United Methodist Church, two of his Philip Morris friends paid tribute to this remarkable man.

JAMES C. BOWLING
Senior Vice President
Assistant to the Chairman of the Board

Herb Wright and I were friends and confidants and associates for over 30 years - and for that I am grateful.

He made great contributions to his company, to the quality of our lives, and to society. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Herb always said he thought that was a pretty fair deal!

Today, we—his friends and his family—come together with a bond of love and admiration for a truly great man who taught us by his death, as he taught us by his life.

Herb was always the patient teacher, always the understanding friend. Who among us has not been touched by his life? At the end he taught us hope—and he taught us courage.

Thanks to the medical skills of Dr. Aaron Wells, the power of all your prayers, and the indomitable spirit of Herb, we all shared the last 11 years of his remarkable life. And at the end, his incredible personal dignity and consideration.

Even at the end, we laughed together with the man whom The Pittsburgh Courier once called "The Bronze Adonis." His hospital room was like his hospitality suites.

I think that when we cry, we cry not for him, but for ourselves. I think he would prefer, however, that we not mourn his loss, but rather celebrate his life.

Let's think of his qualities: Personal dignity. Wit and everlasting humor. Style —style in everything he did. Total dependability. Total trustworthiness. Personal modesty.

He ridiculed the pompous. He strengthened the humble. He gave of himself—always the teacher. Always the super salesman—he sold us hope and the promise of a better tomorrow.

He exemplified loyalty. Loyalty to friends; loyalty to causes; loyalty to products; loyalty to his company; and loyalty to his ideals.

And, yes, courage—remarkable and eternal courage.

Herb's beliefs were solid, deeply rooted and practiced. Herb believed in the dignity of labor and the worth of all people. He believed in the human potential, and he conveyed that to others in such a way that nobody ever wanted to let him down—whether a harassed waiter at a busy convention or a famous leader of men.

Over the years, I saw the greats of our generations come to his office for advice and counsel—and friendship: Martin Luther King, Whitney Young, Roy Wilkins, Members of Congress. And—just as important to Herb —students, employees, acquaintances, friends, and friends of friends.

He planted the seeds of greatness in many people and, I think you'll agree, we are all better because of him.

Many of you are living memorials to him and to his belief in you: Tom Shropshire, George Lewis, George Powell, Stan Scott, George Knox, Don Harris. The list goes on and it includes you, and me, and George Weissman, and people who never knew him as we have all been privileged to do: those who heard about him, read about him or heard him speak. 

We'll all see Herb again. When we see hope. When we see courage. When we laugh. When we see confidence. When we see faith. When we see consideration for others. When each of us performs as Herb thought us capable of doing.

Thank you, Herb, and God bless you always.

THOMAS B. SHROPSHIRE
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Miller Brewing Company

Herb, Old Friend,

We have gathered here to pay respect to you for all the wonderful things you did to enrich our lives.

We will try not to be sad or to shed tears, for we know you have lived the good life, and sadness and tears are the last things you would want from us.

You were a builder, a creator, an innovator—and whatever you did, you did it with style. "Second class" was something you never understood and it was not a part of your vocabulary. You were warm, kind, gentle and loving. You were devoted to your family, friends, company, and to everyone who needed your help.

You spent your time living life to the fullest by helping others and bringing joy to their lives. You were our pioneer and our leader. You removed doors that were closed to us and you never made a step without reaching back to bring one of us forward with you. Generations yet to be born will move through this life with pride and confidence because of your desire to see that all of God's children are treated equal, and your determination that the limit of their achievement would be based upon their ability and not the color of their skin.

Your presence was always a source of joy. Your unselfishness never went unappreciated by those you did so much for in your own personal way. You were our giant among giants and you touched all of us in such a way that we shall forever be grateful for having known you.

Herb, you left a legacy to us in the word "friendship." To have had you as a friend was one thing we could never forget. You left a great part of you here with us and you take our love and respect with you as we know you would have wanted. We shared your pain as our pain and we will share your peace as our peace.

We will miss you - but you will always be with us. You shall never be forgotten.

Good-bye, brother. We love you.

Herbert H. Wright
March 3, 1915 - January 12, 1981

Herbert H. Wright, Executive Director of Urban Affairs of Philip Morris Incorporated, died in New York Hospital following a long illness.

Active in community affairs, Mr. Wright was one of the early leaders of minority rights causes in the business, having served as a founder and chairman of the National Association of Market Developers. He was also a founding member of the Julius A. Thomas Society of the National Urban League and served actively in several other organizations, including the Masons, Rotary International, Shriners and Elks.

Mr. Wright joined Philip Morris in 1945 as a salesman and was later promoted to a College Supervisor and then to the Public Relations staff. Mr. Wright was named Manager of Public Relations Administration in 1964 and served in that capacity until April 1970.

In 1971, at the direction of the President of Philip Morris Incorporated, Mr. Wright supervised and was chief author of Philip Morris's first company-wide study on corporate social responsibility which included an analysis of civic and community programs at all company locations.

Born in Tallahassee, FL, Mr. Wright was the son of the late Rev. John Clarence Wright and Addie Streator Wright. He was graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he majored in business administration. He also attended Brick Junior College in North Carolina and Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

In recent years, Mr. Wright was headquartered in North Miami Beach, FL.

Mr. Wright is survived by his wife, Elfreda; two sisters, Mrs. Peggy Wood of Syracuse, NY, and Mrs. Yvonne Knox of Tuskegee, AL, and a brother, John Wright, of Atlanta, GA. 

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To the family of Herbert H. Wright with love and deepest sympathy from Herb's family of friends at Philip Morris

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