Jack R. Congrove
Jack R. Congrove
June 25,
1947 – April 8, 2020
Jack R. Congrove of Fort Lewis, Washington, president of the
Seattle Philatelic Exhibition
(SEAPEX), died April 8, 2020, of cancer at age 72. SEAPEX was among
Jack’s favorites of the many philatelic projects he took on.
He was instrumental in gaining World
Series of Philately status for SEAPEX in 2015, and served as president of
the board. He managed many aspects of the show, big and small. His enthusiasm,
creativity, organizational skills and hard work will be greatly missed. To know
Jack was to like him.
A 35-year member of the
American Topical Association (ATA), he served as second vice
president. Just prior to his death, he was presented the ATA’s highest award,
Distinguished Topical Philatelist,
given to individuals who have made significant contributions to philately,
especially topical philately.
Jack filled many roles in ATA over the years. He joined the ATA board in 2015,
and became second vice president in 2016. He chaired the
Portland National Topical Stamp Show (NTSS) with Orlie Trier in
2015.
Most recently, he was co-editor of ATA handbook #168, Topical Adventures – A
Guide to Topical and Thematic Stamp Collecting, which will be published this
summer.
Alexander Hamilton: Soldier, Financier, Statesman, Founder,
Jack’s
acclaimed exhibit, won the Grand Award and large gold medal at the NTSS in 2018.
He subsequently showed the exhibit in the APS Champion of Champions exhibition
in Omaha, Nebraska, 2019. He also exhibited Covered Bridges of Fairfield
County, Ohio. He collected butterfly and moth stamps, and planned to prepare
an exhibit.
Jack was a versatile philatelic writer and editor. He edited Biophilately,
the gold medal winning journal of the
Biology Study Unit from 2011 until
his death. He also served as a director of the unit for the past 10 years. In
2013, he wrote the history of the unit.
Jack edited the Federated Philatelist, the journal of the
Northwest Federation of Stamp Clubs, from 2014 until his death.
In 2016, the Federation recognized Jack with its highest honor, the
Northwest Distinguished Philatelist Award,
for his contributions to philately.
He was also editor of the newsletter of the Northwest chapter of the
American Air Mail Society.
Jack was an active member
in the
Evergreen Stamp Club in Kent,
Washington, giving presentations and assisting greatly at the semi-annual club
shows. Jack was instrumental in securing ATA Chapter status for the club in
2016.
An APS member since 2012, Jack frequently volunteered in the youth section at
its shows. In 2017, he received the
Nicholas Carter Recognition Award for National Service. He was a member of
many philatelic organizations, including
the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors, Women Exhibitors, Military
Postal History Society, Americana Study Unit, Rocky Mountain Philatelic Library,
Biology Study Unit, Gastronomy on Stamps Study Unit and Wine on Stamps Study
Unit.
Jack grew up on his parents’ dairy farm in Pickerington, Ohio, where he learned
his strong work ethic and developed the habit of getting up at 5 a.m., something
he did his entire life. He was valedictorian of his high school class and
continued to stay in touch with his classmates. He went on to earn a B.S. degree
in chemical engineering at Ohio University.
After serving 20 years as a US Army Field Artillery Officer, Jack retired at the
rank of Major. He served in Vietnam, Germany and on the UN Peace Keeping Forces
in the Middle East. Following retirement, he worked for a contractor supporting
Army testing at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Fort Lewis, Washington.
He owned a printing and publishing company, where he edited academic and
commercial publications.
Jack had many friends throughout the world. He was easily recognizable as he was
never seen not wearing a baseball hat. We will miss this strong philatelic
advocate and friend.
To view the TV interview from 2019:
King5 Interview
