Richard Ira Hersh of Old Bridge, New Jersey, passed away on January 6, 2015 at the age of 70. Born in Newark NJ on April 3, 1944, he graduated from Verona (NJ) High School and Rutgers University with a BA and MA. He then pursued a career as a national and international trade association executive and government affairs consultant, based in Princeton, NJ, Washington DC and Paris, France.
He is survived by: his sister Susan Scherling and brother-in-law James Scherling of West Caldwell, NJ; his three children, Matthew Hersh of Highland Park, NJ, Rebecca Hersh of Highland Park, NJ, Gabrielle Hersh of Paris, France; daughter-in-law Christine Hersh and son-in-law Randall Solomon, both of Highland Park; five grandchildren (Rubin Hersh, Ilana Hersh, Lily Solomon, Harry Solomon, and Sam Solomon, all of Highland Park, NJ); former wife Samantha Hersh of Paris, France; former wife Pam Hersh of Princeton, NJ; and several of his Rutgers classmates whose bonds to Mr. Hersh were established when they were disc jockeys at the Rutgers radio station in the 1960s.
Known for his love of sixties and seventies era rock music, particularly Pink Floyd, Mr. Hersh at one time seriously considered a career in radio, having served as Program Director and Station Manager for WRSU at Rutgers. However, after a brief stint as an English teacher, Mr. Hersh pursued a career in government relations.
A memorial service at Anshe Emeth synagogue, 222 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, will be followed by a gathering for friends and relatives in Highland Park, NJ, at the home of his son Matthew Hersh. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to WNYC Public Radio.