BEN W. HEINEMAN Sr.

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BEN HEINEMAN Obituary

Ben W. Heineman, Sr. of Chicago died on Aug. 5, 2012 at age 98. He was revered as a giant of his generation, a brilliant lawyer, a far-sighted businessman, an adviser to presidents, governors and mayors, a prominent Chicago leader, a deeply committed supporter of opera and symphony, an influential trustee of the University of Chicago, and a world-class collector of contemporary glass. Ben was born in Wausau, WI on Feb. 10, 1914, the son of Walter Benjamin and Elsie Brunswick Heineman. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in 1936 at the top of his class. For the next 20 years, he was a leading corporate lawyer in Chicago. In 1951, Gov. Adlai Stevenson appointed him special asst. attorney general to investigate cigarette tax fraud. In 1956, he became CEO of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, where he was a dramatic innovator who modernized operating methods and turned Chicago's commuter rail service into an acclaimed national model. In 1968, he transformed the railway into a conglomerate, Northwest Industries; in 1972, he sold the railroad to its employees who benefited from the sale. During 30 years in business, he also took on many government assignments, serving in the 1960s as chair of civil rights, welfare and government reorganization commissions for President Lyndon Johnson as well as head of the Illinois Board of Higher Education and Chicago's summit on fair housing. He was a lifetime trustee of the University of Chicago, the Art Institute, the Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera as well as numerous other boards. The great foundation of Ben's life was his beloved wife, Natalie Goldstein Heineman, a national leader in child welfare services. They married on April 17, 1935. She died on Feb. 28, 2010, just shy of their 75th wedding anniversary. They were deeply attached to sailing alone in Lake Superior and to their summer home in Door County, WI. Together, they assembled one of the nation's largest and finest private collections of contemporary studio glass, which they gave to the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY in 2006 for permanent viewing. Ben's daughter Martha Heineman Pieper (Dr. William Pieper) of Chicago and their children survive him: Thalia Field (Jamie Jewett and son Benjamin), Dr. Jessica Heineman-Pieper (Dr. Param Srikantia), Johanna Heineman-Pieper and Victoria Stein (Jotham and son Gershon); his son, Ben W. Heineman Jr. (Cristine Russell) of New Canaan, CT and their sons Zachary Heineman and Matthew Heineman also survive him. There will be a private family service. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Ben W. Heineman Sr. can be made to The Natalie G. Heineman Smart Love Preschool, 800 W. Buena Ave., Chicago, IL 60613 or online at www.smartlovefamily.org/ contribute.php.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Aug. 12, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for BEN HEINEMAN

8 Entries

Karen Olenski

September 3, 2012

I, too, worked for Northwest Industries and as a recent college graduate at that time, my 7 years at this company were such an incredible learning experience. When I look at business executives now, they could stand to learn so much from the Heineman style of running a company. The employees were always first in Mr. Heineman's eyes.

Rose Reeves

August 12, 2012

My sincerest sympathies to the Heineman family. Mr. Heineman was a true gentleman.

Ray Epich

August 12, 2012

I worked for Mr Heineman( no one, even the Company President, called him Ben)for eight years, as the CIO of Northwest Industries. He was a perfect boss, smart,firm,supremely ethical,and fair. Everything was carried out on time, including his staff meetings,flights to the operating companies,dinner meetings,and day-to-day business. I learned a great deal from him. He termed Northwest a meritocracy, where everyone was to be hired on merit.I carried that out and so did everyone else. We loved it.

Judith Mercado

August 11, 2012

It was a privilege to have known and worked with Mr. Heineman at Northwest Industries. He was a towering figure who achieved being fulfilled personally, successful professionally, and a great citizen.

August 10, 2012

I was deeply saddened to read of Mr. Heineman's passing. I worked for Northwest Industries for 13 years (1972-1985). Mr. Heineman was an amazing man and his passing is a great loss. Someone so special can never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Heineman's family during this difficult time.

Christina (Economous) Guinn

Liz Stiffel

August 10, 2012

Dear Family of Ben,
I was sorry to hear of his death. He certainly helped to make the world a better place in which to live. All of you have my deepest and most sincere sympathy, Liz Stiffel

August 9, 2012

I worked for Mr. Heineman from 1981-84 at Northwest Industries and it was truly a pleasure. He was probably the most professional and genuine executive I had ever encountered during my working career.

I recall his care for his family, staff, and associates. God blessed him with a long life no doubt so he could make a positive difference in many, many other lives as well.

My Sincere Condolences to the Heineman Family on your loss!

Vic Fedorowski, Dekalb IL

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