Jackson Rea Herring was born to Dr. Ralph A. Herring, a Baptist Minister, and his wife, Mary Willeen Tull, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jack received his PhD at the University of North Carolina in Nuclear Physics in 1959. At the university he met Betty Jean Pegram, a Quaker. They were married for 62 years.
Jack started his career at the Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt, MD. As they started their family, Jack and Betty became members of Adelphi Friends Meeting and later joined the Riverside Friends Meeting, at Riverside Church in New York. In 1972 Jack was invited to the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO. He became a Senior Scientist there in 1973, publishing extensively in atmospheric science and turbulence theory. His research influenced atmospheric and oceanic sciences and the geophysical fluid community at large. His open-door policy, deep knowledge, and gentle manner attracted many foreign and domestic visitors and students to NCAR. He retired in 1998.
Jack and Betty joined Boulder Friends Meeting in 1972. Though not members of the founding generation, they came to stand beside people like the Bouldings, the Throns, the Whites, the Counihans, the Waltons, and the Powelsons as unofficial yet still warmly acknowledged Elders of the community. Jack devoted many years of service to the Building and Grounds Committee and, like Betty, played an important role in the Meeting’s remodeling project. Jack was a quiet man, unfailingly gentle and observant. He was indeed one of those Friends whose ministry took the form of a worshipful yet watchful silence that deepened our corporate experience by helping to keep it centered in waiting on the Light. His faithful presence at Meeting for Worship and his kind, unassuming nature inspired everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed.
Jack is survived by two sons, Peter Rea Herring and Christopher Jackson Herring; grandchildren Christian Herring and Natasha May Herring; brother Ralph Herring, Jr.; and sister Margaret Herring.
Since son Christopher lives in the UK, and given the ongoing pandemic, a Memorial Service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held at a date still to be determined with her family.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of Oversight and Membership by Maria Krenz and Mary Hey.