Individual Details
John Edward Struggles
(29 Nov 1913 - 4 Oct 2005)
While working as an executive at Montgomery Ward in the 1940s, John E. Struggles quickly identified the need for companies to have premier executives who could manage large staffs, tackle problems, create growth strategies and lead a business to success, his son, Kirk, said.
So when Mr. Struggles left Montgomery Ward, he went on to create a firm that would concentrate on finding those top-notch executives. Mr. Struggles was co-founder and longtime partner of Heidrick & Struggles, one of the first executive search firms in the country.
"After his work in personnel, he felt there was a need for executive recruiting," daughter-in-law Leslie said. "He decided to make a go of it."
Mr. Struggles, 91, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, at his home in Winnetka.
Mr. Struggles was born in Wilmette and attended public schools in Winnetka. He graduated from New Trier Township High School in 1932 and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
His first job was with Consolidated Biscuit Co. in Chicago and he went on to work for Pillsbury Mills. In 1941, he joined Montgomery Ward and worked as an executive in the personnel department. There, he developed a passion for recruiting and shaping the careers of executives, his son said.
"He was a brilliant businessman, and he and his partner had a lot of vision," his son said. "One thing he did talk about is finding the right person for the right job."
He and partner Gardner W. Heidrick launched their Chicago-based company in 1953, and the idea took off immediately, his son said. At first, it was just the two of them, with their wives working as secretaries.
"They did some major searches for some big-time companies," his son said. "There was a market for their vision, and it took off."
Mr. Struggles stayed with the firm until he retired in 1986.
Today, it employs about 1,300 people and has offices in 57 cities. The firm has helped Office Depot, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks find employees.
Mr. Struggles was a member of the Union League Club, the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield and the Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, Fla.
Mr. Struggles is also survived by his wife, Dorothy; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at William H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth.
So when Mr. Struggles left Montgomery Ward, he went on to create a firm that would concentrate on finding those top-notch executives. Mr. Struggles was co-founder and longtime partner of Heidrick & Struggles, one of the first executive search firms in the country.
"After his work in personnel, he felt there was a need for executive recruiting," daughter-in-law Leslie said. "He decided to make a go of it."
Mr. Struggles, 91, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, at his home in Winnetka.
Mr. Struggles was born in Wilmette and attended public schools in Winnetka. He graduated from New Trier Township High School in 1932 and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
His first job was with Consolidated Biscuit Co. in Chicago and he went on to work for Pillsbury Mills. In 1941, he joined Montgomery Ward and worked as an executive in the personnel department. There, he developed a passion for recruiting and shaping the careers of executives, his son said.
"He was a brilliant businessman, and he and his partner had a lot of vision," his son said. "One thing he did talk about is finding the right person for the right job."
He and partner Gardner W. Heidrick launched their Chicago-based company in 1953, and the idea took off immediately, his son said. At first, it was just the two of them, with their wives working as secretaries.
"They did some major searches for some big-time companies," his son said. "There was a market for their vision, and it took off."
Mr. Struggles stayed with the firm until he retired in 1986.
Today, it employs about 1,300 people and has offices in 57 cities. The firm has helped Office Depot, Nike, Coca-Cola, and Starbucks find employees.
Mr. Struggles was a member of the Union League Club, the Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield and the Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, Fla.
Mr. Struggles is also survived by his wife, Dorothy; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at William H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Ave., Kenilworth.
Events
| Birth | 29 Nov 1913 | Wilmette, Cook, Illinois, United States | |||
| Residence | 1920 | New Trier Township, Wilmette, Cook, Illinois | |||
| Residence | 1930 | Cook, Illinois, United States | |||
| Death | 4 Oct 2005 | Wilmette, Cook, Illinois, United States | |||
| Marriage | Dorothy E. Goetz |
Families
| Spouse | Dorothy E. Goetz (1917 - 2006) |
| Child | Stephanie Struggles (1940 - 1981) |
| Child | John Kirk Struggles (1947 - 2012) |
| Father | William George Struggles (1876 - 1939) |
| Mother | Sarah Adele Chambers (1883 - 1960) |
| Sibling | Helen Kirk Struggles (1912 - 1983) |
| Sibling | Robert Kenneth Struggles (1916 - 1964) |