Jon Vinton Heider

Jon Vinton Heider, age 90, of Akron, Ohio and Key Biscayne, Florida, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024 surrounded by his three children and bride of 40 years - Mary Murray Heider. Jon was born on March 1, 1934, in Moline, Illinois, where he spent his childhood, to Doris Hinch Rhines and Ray Heider.

Jon attended Milwaukee’s Bay View High where he excelled academically and was also known for his singing abilities. During his junior year, at the encouragement of a music teacher, Jon made a recording of himself singing Bobby Darin’s “Beyond the Sea” for a radio station. The recording earned him the title of Outstanding Male Vocalist and led to a D.J. gig with WOKY in Milwaukee for its teen-oriented music fans.

Jon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian with honors from the University of Wisconsin in 1956.  Though he had received a full scholarship to Harvard Law School after completing his B.A., Jon felt compelled to serve his country, so he joined the U.S. Navy where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant in the Intelligence Division.

After service in the Navy Jon earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 1961. He later graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1977.

Jon began his law career in 1961 working in the Philadelphia office of Morgan, Lewis and Bockius. In 1974 he joined Air Products and Chemicals in Allentown, Pennsylvania as General Counsel and, later, Vice President of Corporate Development.

In 1980 he moved to London at the request of Air Products and worked on the company’s European contracts traveling often to cities on the continent and hosting his kids for three summers of adventures in England’s capital.

It was in London where John met Mary Murray. They were married in 1984 and moved back to the United States. Shortly thereafter they moved to Akron, Ohio where Jon began a 14-year career at B. F. Goodrich Tire & Rubber Company. He enjoyed success there until he retired in 1998 as Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

Jon committed much of his life to education, his own and for others. Jon’s love for learning translated into his involvement with the University of Akron, where he was a University Trustee from 2001 to 2004, serving on committees for Facilities Planning and Oversight, Finance, Fiscal Policy, Investment, Education Policy and Student Affairs.  The University acknowledged Jon’s many contributions by awarding him an Honorary Doctorate Degree.

For Jon it was the simple things in life that made him happiest. As a teen lifeguarding by the shores of Lake Michigan; in retirement, listening to the Cleveland Orchestra, enjoying the view of the Atlantic Ocean from his Key Biscayne home and dining out as often as possible with Mary at their favorite restaurants: Key Biscayne’s Tuttu Pasta and Akron’s D’Agnese’s.

Jon spent many hours over the years at the Copley Trap Range perfecting the art of breaking clay targets with one of his Beretta shotguns, helping his wife keep up a lovely garden and koi pond at their summer home and enjoying nature walks with Mary on trails in the Akron area.

Jon will be deeply missed by the love of his life Mary. After 40 years of marriage, they still held hands every day and hadn’t spent a single night apart since Jon’s retirement in 1998.

Jon is survived by his wife Mary: his three children, Loren Heider Hendrickson, John Clarkson Heider and Lindsay Heider Diamond; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His example of hard work, dedication and love for his family, friends and colleagues will live on in each of us.

A celebration of Jon’s life was held on June 14 for family and close friends. Jon was interred at Akron’s Rose Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Akron education or scholarship fund or the Cleveland Orchestra .

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road  Akron, OH 44333.