John W. Acer ’54

John Acer died June 24, 2012, after a long struggle with leukemia.

Born in Medina, N.Y., he graduated from Hotchkiss. At Princeton, he majored in mechanical engineering. He joined the Army after completing his sophomore year and served as a guided-missile instructor at the Redstone Arsenal. In 1956, he enrolled at the University of Iowa, where he received a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in labor and management. He later enrolled in the Arizona State University Law School and earned a J.D. degree.

John had a successful law practice in Phoenix and also served as a pro tempore judge in various Maricopa County courtrooms. He found time to provide free legal assistance through the Volunteer Lawyers Program. He also became an elder in his church and served as president of North Phoenix Corporate Ministry. In 1980 he entered politics, eventually becoming a delegate at the 1992 Republican National Convention in Houston. In 2012, he received the National Federation of Republican Assemblies lifetime achievement award.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Martha; their daughters, Susan, Catherine, and Julia; three grandchildren; and his brothers, Donald and Milford. The class is honored by his service to our country and extends condolences to his family.