Jack Steele Anderson

A brilliant mind and a warm heart are stilled. Jack Steele Anderson, 92, returned to God on November 1, 2017. He is remembered as a loving and supportive husband and father, loyal friend and revered businessman. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, his family moved to Los Angeles as a boy. There, Jack became an Eagle Scout and attended Hollywood High School.

Jack received an academic scholarship and graduated summa cum laude from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of Phi Beta Pi, Tau Beta Pi and the U.S. Navy program.

He valiantly served his country in World War II while aboard the submarine USS Redfish. After the war, his first peacetime job was with Douglass Aircraft. Jack’s contributions at Douglas were recognized with a scholarship to the California Institute of Technology where he received a MS in Physics, minoring in Electrical Engineering. Jack returned to Caltech to complete double PhDs in Physics and Electrical Engineering. He would also receive an MBA degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

His career included time at the Naval Ordinance Testing Station where he received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Director of Engineering at Royal Industries, Vice President of Systems at Crane Company, and Director of Engineering at Hydro-Air where he patented the first version of anti-lock brakes found on today’s vehicles. He was President of Rucker Control Systems when he formally retired.

Jack spent the next 37 years mentoring, advising and consulting small and midsize companies both individually and as an active member of the Association of Retired Executives. He had a commitment to giving back, especially to the lives of young people. He purchased a closed hospital in South Texas and developed a behavioral and substance abuse rehabilitation center for adolescents.

An avid athlete and sports fan, Jack was a varsity point-guard on the University of Texas basketball team and later spent many days golfing with friends and family at Lakeside Country Club where he was Senior Club Champion twice. He continued to play golf regularly until the onset of his illness. Jack was a devoted fan of the Houston Texans and a lifelong supporter of his Longhorns.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Marta Camacho of Pasadena, CA and sister, Nancy Adelman of Los Angeles, CA. Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Sally, daughter Crista Anderson of Houston, sons Dana Anderson and wife Jody of Pasadena, CA and Derek Anderson and wife Anne of The Woodlands; niece and nephew Kim and Craig Adelman of Los Angeles, CA; grandchildren, Tara Blair and husband Richie of Magnolia, Treavor Cortenbach of Big Bear, CA, Jack Steele Anderson II and Camden Anderson, both of The Woodlands, and great grandchild, Chloe Blair of Magnolia.

Jack’s family welcomes his friends to join celebrating his life at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church on November 10 at 12:30 PM . In lieu of flowers and underscoring his belief in the importance of education, Jack requested any donations in his memory be made to The California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd., MC5-32, Pasadena, CA 91125 Attention Caltech Fund or Fund.caltech.edu.