Harry "Hal" Jackson Jr.

1924 - 2017

Harry "Hal" Jackson Jr., 93, of Quincy, died Dec. 16, 2017, in Evanston.

Born Oct. 8, 1924, in Winnetka, Mr. Jackson was a son of Dr. Harry and Teresa Wertheimer Jackson. He married Naomi B. Rosen in Chicago, and they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary April 24, 2017.

Hal was a 1942 graduate, with honors, of New Trier High School in Winnetka. After the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the Naval R.O.T.C. program. After being accepted at the University of Michigan, he studied chemical engineering and naval science until his commission as an ensign in early 1945. He reported for sea duty aboard the USS Topeka, CL 67, at San Pedro, Calif., and served as a deck and turret officer in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and occupation of Japan in Tokyo Bay. He received an honorable discharge from active duty in July 1946, but remained in the Naval Reserve until his resignation in 1958 as a Lt. J.G. He completed his college education at the University of Michigan, receiving a B.S. degree in chemical engineering and a M.S. degree in industrial management in 1948. Upon graduation, Hal worked as an engineer with Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester, N.Y. and Chicago. In 1956, Hal joined the Quincy Soybean Products Co. founded in 1939 by his father-in-law Irving J. Rosen, as plant engineer.

Before his retirement in 1980, Hal served in several leadership and senior management positions including member of the board of directors and vice president of the company. He was instrumental in the design, purchase and installation of many technical improvements and innovations to the plant process and operational direction. During his tenure, the plant was recognized as one of the most efficient and largest soybean operating complexes at one location in the country; the processing plant was at the forefront of emerging environmental protection practices. The family sold the soybean company to Moorman Manufacturing Co., which was later acquired by Archer Daniels Midland.

Mr. Jackson was a member of Temple B'nai Sholom in Quincy and was responsible for the design and oversight of an annex classroom and office for the rabbi, in memory of Marcella Sinaiko Rosen, his mother-in-law. Coincidentally, Hal's father, Harry, was born in Quincy in 1880, the son of William and Bertha Bibo Jackson; William and his brothers Manheim and Edward immigrated to the U.S. in the 1860s from Germany and settled in Quincy. They were charter members of the temple in 1869, still located on Ninth Street.

Hal was an active member of the Quincy Rotary Club, the Quincy Industrial Association, a charter member and active participant at Sheridan Swim Club, the Quincy Racquet Club, Westview Golf Club, and the Quincy Country Club, where after 70 years of trying, he made a hole-in-one. Hal was an active supporter of the United Jewish Appeal and traveled to Israel on a UJA mission in 1970 after the Six Day War.

Mr. Jackson was a lifelong lover of jazz, playing piano with his band in high school shows, USO dances at Great Lakes and Fort Sheridan, local night clubs, on Detroit radio, and later on board his Navy ship and officer clubs in Pearl Harbor, Guam and Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan.

During retirement, Hal and his wife, Nicky, traveled abroad and to most of the 50 states and enjoyed winters in Carefree, Ariz.

Survivors include his wife; daughter, Linda (Stephen Sharp) of Glencoe, son, David (Pamela) of San Clemente, Calif., son, Daniel of Encinitas, Calif.; and grandson James (Jamey) Sharp of Glencoe.

Mr. Jackson was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Ruth Volman; and brother William.

VISITATION: To be determined at a later date. A private burial will be in Valley of Peace Cemetery, Quincy.

MEMORIALS: Valley of Peace Cemetery, Anti-Defamation League of St. Louis or Southern Poverty Law Center of Montgomery, Ala., c/o Morris Dees.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.