SUMMER 2014
35
Laguna friends share their
memories of Jack...
“During a particularly difficult time in Laguna’s
history, Jack came out of retirement to lead the
school. He provided the continuity and clear-headed
leadership that was crucial to moving through this
challenging period. A few years later, I asked Jack to
return to school to assist in our fundraising efforts.
His relationships with the alumni and his genuine
devotion to our school made him the perfect person
to lead an effort which resulted in our being able
to add new facilities and expand our financial aid
program. I always depended on Jack for his unfailing
wisdom and good will and I was never disappointed.”
-Arthur Merovick, headmaster emeritus
For the 12 years I attended Laguna, Mr. Adams was
as integral an element of the school as our owl
mascot. He presided over the school as I thought a
headmaster should: he was friendly, but not overly
so. He was respected, but never feared. He was the
stable, central force that never changed. Despite
his many responsibilities, he took the time and
initiative to send a two-page, single-spaced letter
of recommendation to Yale on my behalf. Although
his letter wasn’t part of my official application (I
already had my faculty and college counselor letters
submitted) I can’t help but believe it had some kind
of positive impact. Mr. Adams’ letter showed me the
finest part of his Laguna character—that he cared
deeply about his school’s students, and would take
whatever action he could to prove it. I will always be
grateful for his help.”
-Geofrey Wyatt ’79, trustee and current parent
“I’ll always remember back to when we first moved
here. We would see Jack and Dotsy at Hope Ranch
Beach picnicking with their friends the Merritts and
the Doanes. They would always invite us ‘kids’ over.
On the Fourth of July, the group would always have
their little American flags waving, and other times
we all would get singing their Yale Whiffenpoof song
along with all the college fight songs of their day.
I also remember when my daughter, Michele, was
receiving a leadership award in fourth grade, Jack
commented on how tall she was and with a twinkle
in his eye he suggested that the kids would have
to do whatever she said, as she towered over all of
them (especially the boys!).”
-Sue Birch, former head of lower school and trustee
“I had so looked forward to meeting Jack and
learning all that I could from him about his part
in the history of our school. Although I’m new to
Laguna, it’s easy to recognize that the pride we
have in our community rests on the foundation that
Jack built. Laguna is a greater school because of
his dedication, and I know how fondly he will be
remembered.”
-Rob Hereford, head of school
I met Jack in 1970 when Barry Schuyler brought me
to Laguna to apply for a teaching position in science.
We shook hands on meeting, and Jack said he’d
heard good things about me and hoped I’d enjoy
teaching at Laguna. As it turned out, our handshake
was ‘the agreement’ since my contract (a single
paragraph on a half-sheet of paper) was signed
much later, once the school year was well underway.
As might be imagined, that decade (the 70s)
provided many administrative challenges as
students everywhere (including LBS) protested the
war in Vietnam, dressed in threadbare clothing, and
adopted Beatle hairdos. I think this was a difficult
time for many educators, and Jack especially
regretted the loss of decorum. Throughout it all,
Jack remained a calm and understanding leader,
rarely lost his temper, and often acknowledged that
‘change is in the wind.’ Jack was always recognized
as a gentleman, as well as a gentle man. He led by
example and by setting standards he felt would best
serve the members of our community. He was in
every respect a shining example of what Tom Brokaw
has termed ‘the greatest generation’ and I will
always remember Jack with admiration and affection.
-Peter Lorber, retired faculty (1970-1997)
Jack Adams with 30 year
veteran faculty member
Chris J. Johnson
130344_LB_summer 2014_EM.indd 35
9/5/14 5:20 PM