"OI' Riverboat Jack" Gets Lifetime Business Achievement Medal.

• Author: McCorkle, Vern C.
• Position: Jack Anderson - Brief Article

He's a mere 81 years old. If it seems like he's been around forever-well, he has, almost. He was born in St. Paul, Minn., but grew up and graduated from high school in Minnewaukan, ND.

Jack has been a businessman and doer of good works for so long, today few people know or can remember his contributions as a young man from Territorial days. Jack has many, many things upon which he can look back with pride or joy. One of them lasted seven years: He worked aboard Yukon River boats, rising from cook (he had to learn how to make coffee) to deck officer. That lasted from 1940 to 1947, something he looks back upon with pride. The first thing he did when he hit the beach was to marry Lucille Tollefson, something he looks back upon with joy.

Why Jack Anderson, and why now? What's he ever done for business you may ask? It's a couple of biggies, and a whole slew of little things. As a younger man he should be remembered for his work in military matters and business affairs. Both had economic impacts for Alaska.

Next year, the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 50th anniversary of founding. Jack founded it! Oh, there must have been others who helped, but the main megaphone was Jack Anderson. It is quite clear, if one reads all of the archival material. It is the achievement upon which he can look back with a sense of great pride. In 1999 that same chamber named Jack its Alaskan of the Year. Others carry on his work today and have made it an organization of which all Alaskan businesses can share pride.

Then there is his military triumph. Cutting to the chase, Jack, almost singlehandedly some say, is responsible for the Alaskan Command remaining in Alaska to this day. No doubt there was a host of other personalities putting in a...