Businessman/Publisher. Known by his friends simply as J.I., he was the founder of Rodale Press and one of the world’s foremost advocates of organic farming and natural food. While his ideas were first met with criticism from the scientific and medical communities, he eventually became recognized as an innovative leader by his critics. Among the magazines published by Rodale Press are Men’s Health, Runner’s World, “OG” (Organic Gardening), one of the world’s largest gardening magazines, and “Prevention”, the world’s best selling health magazine with over 12 million readers every month. He was also the editor of the Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening.  On June 8, 1971,  J.I. Rodale was the primary guest on the Dick Cavett Show.  He spoke about his 20 year legal battles with the Food and Drug Administration, his innovative ideas on Organic Farming, and his magazines.  He was quoted as saying, “I’m so healthy that I expect to live on and on.”  Just 10 minutes later, as Dick Cavett was interviewing his second guest, J.I. Rodale closed his eyes, put his head down, and silently passed away thus becoming the first person to die onstage from natural causes during the taping of a television show.  The show never aired.  Cause of Death:  Heart Attack.    (bio by: Decal)