08/08/2025
Jack Preschlack passed away peacefully at home in Vero Beach, Florida, on June 26th with Lynn, his beloved wife of 62 years, by his side holding his hand.
He loved his family, his friends, his communities, and the United States of America. Jack was born during the Great Depression to immigrant parents, William and Anna Preschlack. He grew up in the Bronx, NY, alongside his older brother Bill (deceased 2012), helping at their father's furniture store, hitting stickball home runs, and sleeping on the fire escape of their apartment on hot summer nights.
His parents believed deeply in the power of education, and Jack embodied that belief. He attended grammar school at P.S. 85, across the street from his home on Webster Avenue, and then Brooklyn Technical High School. He skipped two grades and began his studies in Electrical Engineering at MIT at just seventeen years old. He graduated in 1954 with honors and enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as a Project Officer working on a high priority bombing system. He later retired as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve. Jack then attended Harvard Business School, graduating with an MBA as a Baker Scholar in 1958.
That same year, Jack joined McKinsey & Company. Jack met the love of his life Lynn Ann Stanley through a mutual friend, and they were married in 1962 at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff, Manor, NY. Jack's fifteen-year McKinsey career took the Preschlack family to London, Chappaqua, NY, and Düsseldorf, Germany. Fluent in German since childhood, Jack thrived in international business and helped foreign companies rethink and rebuild their operations after WWII. After six years overseas, he left McKinsey as a Partner to return to the U.S., believing strongly in raising his children stateside.
This began another chapter of moves: Briarcliff Manor, NY; Darien, CT; Weston, MA; and ultimately, in 1977, to Lake Forest, IL. Jack's business career during this time included executive roles at Itek Graphics, where he was President of the Graphics Products Division, and at General Binding Corporation, where he served as President and CEO. Later, he led Roberts & Porter and retired in 1996 as a Partner at Spencer Stuart. He also served on the boards of several organizations, including Maytag, Blyth Industries, and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
A long way from the Bronx, Jack loved Lake Forest and believed that it was the best place in the world to live and raise a family. Jack and Lynn lived there for forty-five years, 1977 to 2022 raising three boys, John, Jim, and David, enjoying time with many good friends and being very active in the community.
Jack believed strongly in Civic duty and the importance of giving back to the community. He also believed strongly in the value of Lake Forest's 90-year-old Lake Forest Caucus, which recruits and identifies the best candidates to serve as volunteers on local boards and commissions, as well as elected local officials.
Jack gave freely of his time and talent to keep the City of Lake Forest special. He served as a volunteer member of the Plan Commission (1980 - 1986, as Chairman the last two years), as a 1st Ward Alderman on City Council (1990 - 1996), and as Mayor (2002 - 2005).
In 2007, Jack helped start the Lake Forest Day Foundation with others so that the annual Lake Forest Day celebration would continue long into the future. In 2008, Jack helped organize the 100th Lake Forest Day celebration at Forest Park Beach, which served as a crucial fundraiser for the successful launch of the new organization. Jack was a proud member of the Lake Forest American Legion, McKinlock Post 264, who have run Lake Forest Day since 1921. Jack also helped many people find new jobs through the Lake Forest Career Resource Center and was always looking for ways to help others when help was needed.
Jack and Lynn built their retirement dream house at John's Island Club, Vero Beach, Florida in 1997; Jack enjoyed many happy times together with family and friends over the years, including playing golf, tennis, and taking out his boat, Candle Power. Jack and Lynn also embarked on many memorable trips around the world from John's Island to Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Jack also gave tirelessly of his time in Vero Beach to causes that were important to him and to the quality of life for the community.
A devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Lake Forest and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Jack expressed deep gratitude to God for his good fortune and family. He loved travel, golf, and racquet sports-and especially the full calendar of social events Lynn orchestrated at the Onwentsia Club, the John's Island Club, and everywhere in between. But more than anything, Jack's true passion was helping others and standing up for what is right.
Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lynn Preschlack, his three sons-John, Jim, and David-and their wives Pam, Paula, and Alex. He was the proud grandfather of nine: Jaimie, Jack, Will, Stanley, Lillard, Miller, Finn, Cole, and Gray.
