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YOUR BALANCE
Prof. Jack McCormac
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Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 11:53 AM

Jack NcCormac is a retired Clemson University civil engineering professor. Some of you may have been in one or more of his classes. I've known Jack since he came to Clemson sometime in the late 1950'sand count him as a dear friend. I learned several days ago that Jack has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Please keep Jack and his two daughters in your prayers.

Jack wrote several textbooks that are used in universities world wide. He has also written several mystery novels. He did a fantastic analysis of the structural faults at the World Trade Center collapse.

Jack and I played golf together for many years. He was a lot of fun.


Message was edited by: Joe21®


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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 11:55 AM

Done.

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Will do!


Apr 12, 2021, 11:58 AM

I took structural steel design and structural analysis classes that he taught. I still have one of his books on my shelf at work.

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"When I was young, I was sure of many things; now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is, that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Saviour. He is well-taught who learns these two lessons." -John Newton


I hate to hear that.


Apr 12, 2021, 11:59 AM

Dr. Jack was in textbook writing mode by the time I came thru the structural engineering department. But he wrote the structural steel and concrete text books that we used and that several Universities use. So he not only imparted knowledge to those of us at Clemson, but also other locations that used his text books.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 12:13 PM

Surveying and concrete.I believe. Maybe statics. Maybe 101. He was a great professor. Wrote couple of books too.

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Great instructor. I still have 4 of his books.***


Apr 12, 2021, 12:17 PM



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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 12:26 PM

Maybe the best professor I ever had at Clemson. Anyone that can make Statics interested had to be good. I also still have all of his text books. Still use the Eng Economics book to this day. Best wishes and prayers.

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He's a member of The Citadel Class of 1948.


Apr 12, 2021, 12:27 PM

I've heard nothing but good things about him from Clemson folks and Citadel folks my whole life.

I'm sorry to hear that about him.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 12:28 PM

Does anyone else remember the lecture he gave on contracts using "See Rock City" being painted on a barn as an example and digressed into options for neon lighting and expectorant aimed at the neighbor's house? Or when he related his first job included inspecting a smoke stack under construction each afternoon by riding the steel ball up while workers dropped things on him. I was fortunate to have had profs like him who had practical knowledge and taught what we needed to know in the pre-computer age. Thanks Happy Jack!

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 12:48 PM

Thoughts and prayers! He was a heck of a professor. I had him for several classes and he taught me a lot. Still have and reference many of his books.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 12:55 PM

Prayers and best wishes.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 1:12 PM

I don't remember if I had him for Statics but am sure he was my Strength of Materials prof and also wrote our book. I still remember him with his white short sleeve dress shirt with sleeves rolled up a turn or two, black tie, and GI haircut Anybody that could get me thru that class was an incredible teacher: I'll pray for him.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 7:34 PM

I had Safford as my Proff in surveying. Thank you for sharing! Prayers!!

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 7:39 PM

Joe: I am an habitual lurker (some might call me a kibitzer) because I still work full-time, and know that if I succumbed to the lure of a chatbosrd, I would likely never get any work done. That having been said, it doesn't surprise me that yours is the first note I've responded to. I am, like you, a senior senior citizen, having completed a Navy career on active duty, and I look forward to your posts, especially the ones relating your many adventures and escapades.
I read this note re Professor McCormac with interest, and realized that I had to reply. One of his daughters, Mary, is an excellent attorney, having served for several years as the City Attorney for the City of Clemson. I had occasion to refer a matter to her just a couple of weeks ago, and the person I referred to her was a CE grad from Clemson, and chose Ms. McCormac because of his great admiration for her dad. In passing he related a story to me that I think you will enjoy.
Seems that some part of the enlightened (today, would we call them "woke"??) administration at Clemson decided that Prof. McCormac needed an advanced degree in order to qualify for faculty status, to continue teaching. So, Prof. McCormac dutifully signed up for a Masters degree program, and headed off for his first class - only to find out, on entering the classroom, that one of his own textbooks was to be the basis from which the class would be taught. He did not attend another class, and as you know, taught for many, many years until his normal retirement.
Just as this thread demonstrates, he is roundly admired, and remembered, by many, many in his chosen field, and beyond - a classic Southern gentleman - a Clemson man. I will pray for Prof. McCormac, that the Great Physician will allow him to grace our world a while longer.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 8:42 PM

I believe Jack got his Masters at MIT. He has one of the most brilliant minds of anyone I know plus an abundance of common sense

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I had him for three classes and


Apr 12, 2021, 7:53 PM

was TA for him for one semester of Steel Design. He was my favorite professor at Clemson. Sad to hear about his health but dang he was old 30 years ago

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 8:40 PM

Done.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 8:45 PM

Thanks for sharing, Joe. I played golf with Jack within the last year. He’s a true gentleman and friend...and could still that ball very well for his age. He will be in my prayers.

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Stopped by his house and he signed a few books just before


Apr 12, 2021, 9:43 PM
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the virus hit last year.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 12, 2021, 10:36 PM

Of the many reasons that I liked Prof. McCormac was that he was one of the few engineering professors that did not hate architects ....... of which I was one. Then again, maybe he passed us just so he would no longer have us to deal with!

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My favorite professor at Clemson...loved all of his classes.


Apr 13, 2021, 9:11 AM

A few of his text books are on my shelf in my office. Will pray for him and his family.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 13, 2021, 9:34 AM

that is tough to hear...my mother died of pancreatic cancer and most patients live less than a year
after getting diagnosed with this type of cancer..Sorry to hear the news.

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Re: Prof. Jack McCormac


Apr 13, 2021, 3:39 PM

Prayers for him and his family.

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