Ralph Borden Jackson ’39

Jack died Mar. 15, 1998, at his home in Godfrey, Ill., after a brief illness. From 1952 until his retirement in 1971 when his school closed, Jack served as president of Western Military Academy in Alton, Ill., a school which had been founded by his grandfather in 1879.

Following graduation Jack took a BA in education at the U. of Chicago, then spent four years in the Navy before taking up his teaching career at the military academy. After his retirement he kept his professional hand in as a substitute teacher at Alton's high school. And always he devoted hours of his time to civic causes, both state and local. He had the honorary title of brevet colonel from the Illinois National Guard, and was a BiState Development Agency commissioner and a board member of the Alton Memorial Hospital. He served as deacon and elder at the College Avenue Presbyterian Church.

Jack and Ruth Cousens, his wife of 47 years, enjoyed a close and loving family life with daughters Susan and Nancy, sons R. Borden "Bo" and Andrew, and seven grandchildren. To them all we offer our sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1939