Philanthropy Taking Flight

The word "flight" is synonymous with Jack Wimpress.

Upon receiving a degree in aeronautical engineering from Georgia Tech, he spent a year in Douglas Aircraft's satellite program prior to earning a master's degree from Cal Tech. This launched Jack's career with Boeing. As his responsibilities grew over the decades, he became chief aerodynamicist, later served as chief technical engineer for the 757 and closed out his career as head of product development for a division of the commercial airplane company. Jack became a popular docent at the Museum of Flight.

Jack met Doris while he was a student at Cal Tech. They married, and in 1951 built their home overlooking Lake Washington and lived there for 52 years. She worked as an RN at Swedish Hospital before starting their family of four children. With the children grown, Jack and Doris visited every continent, including Antarctica. They even crossed the Atlantic on the QE2 and returned on the Concorde.

Having lost Doris in 2009 after moving to Wesley, Jack named the "John & Doris Event Room" in The Terrace in their family's honor. He was president of the Wesley Board of Trustees in 1979, served on into the '80s and is now serving again as a board member. He calls a Terrace Cottage home.

Jack believes in giving back philanthropically as well. In addition to outright gifts, he has executed two CGAs (charitable gift annuities) with the Foundation and is updating his estate plan. "Our beautiful and expansive campus is an irreplaceable asset, but some amenities desired by today's and tomorrow's residents are absent. With new buildings, this community will be a great place to live on into the future." It will be, thanks to people like Jack.