Obituary of John Voorhees Hyer

In Memory of John Voorhees Hyer III February 17, 1933 - January 13, 2017 John "Jack" Voorhees Hyer III passed away on January 13, 2017 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC. Jack was born on February 17, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York to Margaret Murray Hyer and John V. Hyer II and was raised by his single mother in Queens, New York. He attended a number of Catholic and public schools in the NYC area and graduated from Iona College with a BA in History while working full time on Wall Street. While there, he entered the Platoon Leaders Class (PLC) and was commissioned in the Marine Corp as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1955 in Quantico, Virginia. Upon completion of his college education and the PLC program, he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant. As a member of the Marine Aggressor Company, he was a Tank Commander and Infantry Officer in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Released from active duty in May 1958 with an honorable discharge, Jack served in the reserves until July 1968 ending his military service as a Captain. He earned his MBA at St. Johns University in New York in 1964 where he was a member of the Delta Epsilon Honor Society In his professional life, Jack was a trader for Kidder Peabody and held several financial positions with Grey Advertising, and the National Broadcasting Company in NYC. He was appointed as the Vice President of Accounting and Auditing for the American Cancer Society (ACS) in 1974 when their headquarters were in New York City. He was later promoted to Vice President of Finance and Administration. His last role with ACS was in a newly created position as Vice President for National Resources in Development. When he later moved to New Jersey, he continued in the financial arena holding positions with Coldwell Banker/Schlott Realtors Home Mortgage Network and MCM Corporation. Jack's interests were varied and included a Life Membership in the Balloon Federation of America where he took lessons to become a Private Lighter than Air pilot. He had what was called a "radio voice" and put it to good use when he worked for the American Cancer Society and later as a volunteer for UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. He leaves behind the family of his late half-brother Frank's wife Bonnie and their children Darrin and Dawn, along with a number of cousins, most especially his beloved Maggi. Jack is survived by the person he most treasured in life, his wife Laura T. Jensen, whom he married in Oban, Scotland in 1990. Before moving to Fearrington Village in 1998, they lived in Bedminster, New Jersey. In recent years, Jack devoted his life to service through leadership roles with UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. He and Laura served on the Board of Visitors with the cancer center for several years and Jack was appointed as the Geriatric Oncology Patient Advocate. This was a mission close to his heart as both he and Laura battled cancer and were successfully treated at UNC Lineberger. In addition to giving of time and talent, Jack and Laura established a full professorship in translational cancer research and radiation oncology at UNC Lineberger. They have also funded an endowment named for them, earmarked for promising cancer research. Their service and philanthropy with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have earned them memberships into The Chancellor's Club, the Berryhill Society, the Lineberger Club, and the Gerard Society. Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi Jack, you are missed by many. Anyone who would like to make a donation in Jack's memory may do so to The Laura T. Jensen and John V. Hyer Endowment Fund for Cancer Research (checks can be made out to UNC LCCC), UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Campus Box 7295, NC 27599 Further details on a memorial service for Jack will be published at a later date.