John T. Pierson Jr. ’53

Jack died May 22, 2016.

Jack came to Princeton from Pembroke Country Day School, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering and graduated magna cum laude. He belonged to Colonial Club, served on the advertising staff of the Bric-a-Brac his junior year, and played I.A.A. football, basketball, and baseball.

He served in Naval Intelligence at the Pentagon, after graduating from Officer Candidate School in the top 2 percent of his class. He was the third person in the history of the school to achieve a perfect score on the navigation exam. After his naval service, Jack earned his MBA from Harvard University in 1958.

By 1971 Jack had become president and chief executive officer of Vendo Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of vending machines. In 1976, he bought Preco Industries, a designer and manufacturer of high-speed automated processing systems and laser technology and continued as chairman of the board of Preco until his death.

Civic and philanthropic activities, an important part of Jack’s life, included serving as director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, trustee of the Midwest Research Institute, membership on the Advisory Council on Japan-U.S. Economic Relations, chairman of the Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center, and co-chairman of the Foreign Trade Zone of Greater Kansas City.

Jack is survived by his wife, Susan; three daughters; and three grandchildren.