Jack Edgar Myers

Born on July 10, 1913, in Boyds Mills, Pennsylvania, Jack Myers had a remarkable career that combined significant contributions to the scientific world with a passion for educating children.  

Jack's interest in science ignited in his teenage years, and he pursued a B.S. in chemistry from Juniata College. He went on to earn an M.S. degree from Montana State College in 1935 and then chose the University of Minnesota for his doctoral work, concentrating on plant photosynthesis and achieving degree status in 1939.  

In his early research, Jack studied photosynthesis, phototrophic growth, and the physiology of algae. His work led to fundamental discoveries in the mechanism of photosynthesis. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1975 and received numerous other honors, including the Charles F. Kettering Award and the Founders Award from the American Society of Gravitational and Space Biology.  

Myers joined the faculty of the University of Texas in 1941 and spent 58 years there. He was a dedicated teacher and mentor.

In 1960, a tragic plane crash took the lives of his younger brother, Garry Cleveland Myers, Jr., and his wife, Mary. Jack and his wife, Evelyn, Jack, Evelyn and their daughters expanded their family to include five additional children.

Jack Myers also served as the science editor of Highlights for Children magazine. In this role, he answered hundreds of questions from young readers every year and emphasized the importance of teaching science as a process of discovery rather than just a collection of facts.

Jack’s influence extended to four generations of the entire Myers family: he combined a great sense of humor, personal ethics, wisdom, humility, and soft-spoken thoughtfulness to lead through inter-generational transitions, always nurturing a strong commitment to family unity and to stewardship of the Highlights corporation. He also served on the Board of Directors for Highlights and as a Trustee for CEM.

Jack Myers died on December 28, 2006, at the age of 93. 

For more information, click on the links below:

https://vimeo.com/1042489902?ts=0&share=copy