( CNN ) -- Lawrence G. Foster , former Johnson & Johnson corporate vice president of public relations , died Thursday morning , according to his son , Lawrence G. Foster III . He was 88 years old . Foster was at the helm during the public relations storm in 1982 when seven people died after ingesting poison-laced Tylenol . Foster stepped in to ensure that 32 million bottles of the over-the-counter medicine were removed from shelves . He was lauded for his transparency during the crisis and the example he set is still taught in business and public relations schools . Foster died of natural causes at his home in Westfield , New Jersey , with family present , said his son . `` He was a man of uncommon generosity and faith . I think that summarizes him perfectly , '' said his son in a statement to CNN . Foster 's longstanding career with the pharmaceutical company began in 1957 when he was lured to the company under the challenge of building Johnson & Johnson 's first public relations department , according to the Public Relations Society of America . He worked at the company for 33 years before retiring in 1990 . According to his alma mater , Pennsylvania State University , Foster was the recipient of four of the highest awards in public relations : the 1989 Gold Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America , for contributions to the profession ; the 1998 Atlas Award from PRSA , for lifetime achievement in international public relations ; the Hall of Fame Award from the Arthur W. Page Society in 1994 ; and the Institute for Public Relations ' Alexander Hamilton Medal for lifetime achievement in 2007 . PR Week magazine named Foster one of the 10 most influential public relations executives of the 20th century . He is survived by his wife , Ellen , and his five children , according to Lawrence Foster III . His son said there will be a funeral on Monday , followed by a private burial in Westfield , New Jersey . People we lost in 2013 .
Foster led relief efforts during drug - laced Tylenol incidents in 1982 . He was praised for his handling of the crisis ; his methods are taught today . Foster was the recipient of four of the highest awards in public relations , alma mater says .