James Herbert, prominent Lansing businessman and philanthropist, dies at 83
LANSING — James Herbert, co-founder of Lansing-based biotech company Neogen and a driving force behind Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, died Saturday. He was 83.
The University of Tennessee, where Herbert was an alumnus and where the Herbert College of Agriculture is named for him and his wife, Judi, announced his death Monday.
In a statement, Sparrow spokesman John Foren described Herbert as "a brilliant man" who lived by the mantra, "To whom much is given, much is expected."
"It is impossible to summarize the influence of James Herbert and his wife, Judi, on Sparrow and the health of the community in a few paragraphs but James was a philanthropist, businessman and very special part of the Sparrow family," Foren said. "His impact will be felt for generations by people across Mid-Michigan who have received care at the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center.
"We extend our prayers and sympathy to Judi Herbert and the rest of the Herbert family on this enormous loss."
The Herberts came to Lansing in 1982, where Jim Herbert helped launch Neogen Corp. The company has been a pioneer in rapid diagnostic testing and develops, manufactures, and markets products for food and animal safety.
The Herberts have been active in philanthropic and community projects and were among the driving forces behind the Herbert-Herman Cancer Center, which opened in 2017. The couple, along with James and Susan Herman, donated a total of $2.5 million to build the cancer center, which is named after both families.
Jim Herbert was the retired chairman of Neogen and sat on the Sparrow Health System Board of Directors until his death.
He and his wife donated $5 million to the Sparrow Foundation, the largest gift ever given in Sparrow Health System’s history. The gift was announced in early 2022 and was used to establish The Genomics Endowment for Diagnosis & Treatment of Cancer, funding advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer through genomics and precision medicine at Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center.
The University of Tennessee renamed its college of agriculture for the Herberts after they made "a transformational gift" in support of the college, the school said in a Facebook posting announcing Jim Herbert's death.
UT Chancellor Donde Plowman said Herbert was generous with his time, support and leadership.
"He was an advocate for higher education and a role model for all Volunteers," Plowman said. "In addition to his generous support for agriculture, he and Judi supported many parts of the university, including the College of Arts and Sciences. He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on in the thousands of lives he impacted.”
The Herberts' philanthropic endeavors also include MSU Women's Basketball Endowment, the Lansing Community Foundation, Sparrow Foundation and various local charities.
Said Foren: "James was a brilliant man who could engage in highly technical conversations with our clinical leaders about genomics, research and clinical trials, but more than that he inspired those around him to continuously grow, improve and reach for the stars."
Besides his wife, Judi, Herbert is survived by children Scott and Melissa and several grandchildren.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: James Herbert, prominent businessman and philanthropist, dies at 83
