Wick died May 20, 2016, in Seattle.
He was born in Seattle, attended Groton, and his three-day train trip to Massachusetts, alone at the age of 11, was a challenging experience. Graduating from prep school in 1943, he entered Princeton with many of us that summer, but soon enlisted in the Navy and spent two years at sea before returning to the engineering school and graduating in 1949.
Wick continued his engineering studies in Seattle at the University of Washington, and then joined the Simpson Timber Co. in Everett. He moved back to Seattle in 1959 to lead Simpson’s new research lab in Richmond, Wash. Simpson’s product line included plywood, lumber, pulp and paper, and plaster doors. Wick was enthusiastic about his more than 30 years with Simpson.
In 1951 Wick married Margaret Hartman, and their three children were born in Everett. The Goulds had a summer home on Bainbridge Island, Wash., and Wick was able to spend enough time on the tennis courts that he became a ranked player. He won the state doubles title for the 60-and-older division, and the state open for the over-55 age group. He played at both the Country Club of Seattle (Bainbridge) and the Seattle Tennis Club. In 1985 John and Margaret retired to Topsfield on Bainbridge, where they continued gardening, hiking, and skiing. Margaret died in 2012.
The class sends its memories of this accomplished member to his children, Catherine, John, and Annie; their spouses; and grandchildren.