John W. Ballard ’50

Jack, a former class president, died at home in Hightstown, N.J., Feb. 9, 2006, after a long battle with a brain tumor.

Jack graduated as a four-letter man from University City High School in St. Louis, and served two years in the Navy prior to Princeton. Earning a degree in politics with high honors did not hinder him from participating in many campus activities and rowing for four years. He belonged to Cap and Gown.

Early on, he joined Mobil International, where he held executive positions with its foreign operations in human relations and energy economics for 30 years. He retired in 1984, but worked as a training consultant until 1995.

Immediately upon retirement, Jack and Phoebe, his wife of 55 years, enthusiastically started their Turning Points Co., through which they co-authored several books on retirement and conducted career and life-transition seminars.

Jack served our class and Princeton well. We are indebted that he and several classmates insisted that some of our 25th-reunion memorial insurance funds be given to the economics department. The initial gift has grown 15-fold and provides significant income to the Center for Economic Policy Studies.

We share Jack's loss with Phoebe; his sons, John Jr., Robert, and Michael; daughter-in-law Amy; and grandchildren David and Katie.

The Class of 1950