Jerry Stroud, former head of the rep group Fuji Associates, died on Sunday in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 72. There are no plans for a memorial service at this time.
Running Press co-founder Buz Teacher wrote: "What a sad day. I have so many wonderful memories of Jerry, who was an extremely generous man. Jerry was with us when we published our first book in 1972, and Running Press would not have been the same company without his mentoring and great support. Most of all he was fun to be with. And oh those bright Missoni sweaters! We had so many wonderful dinners together. I am very proud to have known him."
Chris Kerr of Parson Weems wrote: "I met Jerry at Seminary Coop Bookstore in Chicago in 1983. I had just launched the U.S. office of Basil Blackwell Publishers and was slowly making my rounds of key booksellers. Jerry invited himself along to my lunch with Jack Cella and then proceeded to kidnap the conversation with a story about selling Eastern Airlines an in-flight book for kids. When I got home, there was a kind bread-and-butter note waiting for me.
"I thought he was pretty fabulous and counted his friendship as key in my professional life. Wherever my checkered employment history took me, there was a congratulatory note from Jerry. When he retired, he sent me the contents of a file he had kept of all of our notes; I was amazed. When I launched Parson Weems 13 years ago, Jerry was among the first to congratulate my partner Colwyn Krussman and me. We met for drinks in Chicago; he left us on a street corner where he was picked up by a former professional ball player he was counseling on his new career as an exercise guru. As with most things Jerry, it was a notable, stylish exit. I lost track of him when he moved from North Michigan Avenue. His friends were guarded about his condition and whereabouts. I know he was loved and protected by his loved ones. He was one of the great ones."