John Vincent Whittlesey ’39

Jack died Jan. 29, 2003, at his retirement home in Gastonia, N.C.

After earning his BS in chemical engineering, he began his career with Exxon Research as a refinery process engineer. For more than 37 years he worked for Exxon, moving from engineering into refinery economics and corporate planning. As assistant secretary of Exxon Corp., he served as Exxon liaison with the professional investment community. In 1964 he became public affairs advisor in Exxon's Esso Middle East. Upon retirement in 1976 he was appointed executive director of the Iran-American Chamber of Commerce. Four years later he really did retire, adding golf, fishing, and travel to his longtime hobbies of community theater, horseback riding, sailing, and singing at his church.

Jack's first wife, Lois, died in 1979. He later married Willie Greybeal, who survives him; as does his brother, Robert '43; his sister, Eleanor; and three stepchildren, Jeanne, Linda, and Jackson Mott. To all we offer our sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1939