James P. Herget

James Patrick Herget was born October 21, 1944, and passed away June 8, 2025. Jim dedicated his life to his family and ideals. He grew up in Cleveland and formed fast friendships that survived the test of time. He excelled as a student and football player at University School and Gilmour School. But he was really educated at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he also played football. He was influenced by Father Hart, who ran the field house. When Jim was knocked out too many times on the field, Father Hart showed him how to run the field house and taught him about life.

When Jim returned to Cleveland, he received his MBA from Case Western Reserve University and went to work, first for AmeriTrust Bank and then for Xerox. While at Xerox, he earned not one but two keys to the city. He rose rapidly through Xerox’s ranks and then took a year of leave to perform social services in the DC metropolitan area. He was named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1978. After he returned to Xerox, he became interested in executive search work and partnered with Spencer Stuart, Korn/Ferry, and Lamalie Amrop, where he achieved Senior Partner before ultimately starting his own search consultancy. As a consultant, he specialized in finding CEOs and CFOs for midsize companies.

Jim had two daughters, Elizabeth Daria (Charlotte Cauwe) and Lauren Elise (Alfred Jensen), both of whom he put through Hathaway Brown School and Cornell University. He also traveled widely in Europe during his years as a search consultant, and took the girls with him. Both women are now successful professionals in New York City.

Jim believed in a strong mind and a strong body. He ran sixteen marathons and eight ultra marathons to prove it, his last at age 65. With his subsequent wife, Pamela Bowes Davis, whom he saw through breast cancer, Jim again traveled widely, including to China, Abu Dhabi, London, Scotland, Brazil, and St. John, which was their special place. He went from being a search consultant to being a marvelous partner for his wife in her role at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He also volunteered as the “CEO” (Chief Encouragement Officer) of the University School football program. 

His devotion, pride, and love for his family, as well as those close to him, cannot be understated. He outlived and conquered many of the complications of Parkinson’s disease but ultimately succumbed to it, with grace and dignity. 

He is survived by his wife, daughters, stepchildren and step-grandchildren, and cousins.

A wake will be held Friday, June 13, from 5 PM to 7 PM, at Brown-Forward, 17022 Chagrin Blvd., Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120. A funeral Mass celebrating Jim’s life will be held Saturday, June 14, at 1 PM in The Church of the Gesu at 2470 Miramar Blvd., University Heights, Ohio 44118. The service will be livestreamed via a link on this website. 

Interment will be private in Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio. 

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the College of the Holy Cross or to an organization of choice.