Many of us in our chapter know Jack from his work at ADK, primarily his involvement in the renaissance
of fire towers on public land.The following will give you an idea of the rich fullness of his life.
At the age of seven, Jack was invited to sing in the Choir of Men and Boys at the Washington
National Cathedral while attending the St. Albans School on the cathedral grounds.
Later as a Boy Scout and achieving Eagle Scout he was introduced to caving, hiking, mountain
climbing. Singing was always central to his life; baritone - music from liturgical to bluegrass.
Outdoor adventure found Jack everywhere he pursued academic achievement: Washington and Lee (BA) -
hiking and backpacking the Blue Ridge Mountains, Masters in organic chemistry from the University
of Washington - hiking in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, PhD in chemistry at Ohio State University
- exploring and mapping Kentucky caves. As a research chemist at Eastman Kodak in Rochester,
Jack was introduced to the Adirondacks. Not just a Winter 46er, he went on to become the 31st person
to summit the high points of all 50 states in 1994. It's been a pleasure and an honor to have known
Jack and to have collaborated on fire tower projects with him. Jack's unique skill of bringing people
together and getting things done led to the restoration of forest preserve fire towers starting with
Blue Mountain, Azure, and Hadley. Fire towers captured the imagination of the hiking public.
Once those first few fire towers were rehabbed for public access due to Jack's effective advocacy,
lobbying prevailed to save those slated for removal, friends groups brought love to the structures via
work projects, and most importantly: The Adirondack Mountain Club Fire Tower Challenge. Jack was an
original challenge project designer introducing thousands of hikers of all abilities to the wonder of
a fire tower hike.
Jack's 2001 book Views From On High, now in its second revised edition helps hikers
prepare for and enjoy their fire tower hikes. It all started with Jack. At the age of 70, Jack married
Tillie, his long-ago high school prom date and classical oboist, and together they rounded up their
1950s Boy and Girl Scout friends into a group they called Ancient Scouts of North Atlanta. The
Ancient Scouts continued to meet annually, reinforcing old friendships and enjoying new adventures.
Jack died Saturday evening, March 9, 2024, in Ogdensburg, New York, while in the diligent and loving
care of Tillie and the staff of the nonprofit St. Joseph's Home. It is fascinating to read tributes
to Jack from all the corners of his life. So many people have been touched by him in so many ways.
It's an enduring pleasure to have known Jack and to have sampled Tillie's latest vegan creations
from the kitchen while Jack and I worked on his book's second edition. Here's to Jack and a life
well lived.
- Jim Schneider