Jack Houck Passes Away

Houck has been hosting metal-bending parties called PK Metalbending since the 1980s and this bowl contains spoons and forks from people attending these PK events, gradually warping and deforming over time.

Houck was an engineer for Douglas Aircraft (now Boeing). He worked on missile defense programs before later taking charge of their management for 22 years.

Early Life and Education

Houck was active in both district and state bands from his freshman to senior year as well as the Glee Club. Additionally, he sang for Jay County Gideons Camp, Pennville Masonic Lodge Odd Fellows Lodge Portland Morning Optimist Club as well as his church community.

His combination of strength and bat speed provides him with excellent raw power, and his speed makes him adept enough to play third base at a higher level. However, to reach those heights he will need to improve both footwork and overall defensive skill set in order to succeed.

Minnes currently holds the Verna and Jack Houck Motto Professorship in Families and Communities, an award designed to recognize faculty who conduct research related to families and communities. Her focus of study includes child development as well as factors impacting children’s cognitive and mental health.

Professional Career

Jack Houck was an engineer with Boeing for 42 years prior to retiring. His work involved missile defense systems as well as managing defense and intelligence programs as well as developing satellite programs.

Houck was a dedicated father and grandfather. He never missed one of his sons’ sporting events, supported their athletic endeavors and sang in their choir; taught Sunday school; sang with them during services; as well as mow the church lawn regularly.

Houck returned to Portland in the fall of 2018 and joined the Sea Dogs, an affiliate team of Boston Red Sox, while also taking part in Arizona Fall League (an additional professional baseball league for players not yet at major league levels).

Achievement and Honors

Jack was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family – always having something interesting or hilarious to tell. A person of great faith with an ability to see goodness in all, Jack always had time for others despite any differences they might present.

Young Paul played trombone in both District and State Bands before competing in track and field. Twice, he qualified for AAU Nationals.

Once he left The Sun, Houck joined three former colleagues – Jack Lemmon (Editor of The Evening Sun), Ken Paik (Photo Director), and Frank Starr (Washington Bureau Chief) to form New Century Press, a newspaper company with several weeklies throughout the Midwest that employed Houck as special investigative projects editor until his retirement in 2017. Houck was also known to collect historical photos and documents.

Personal Life

Houck was an ardent family man. He enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, playing trombone in high school band rehearsals and attending Bloomsburg Fair every summer. Additionally, Houck was very patriotic, serving his country during World War II as an army member.

He was also active in his church, serving on the Board of Directors for Hanover Area Council of Churches clothing bank and volunteering with Thoman Wallpaper and Paint Store.

Houck was also an accomplished drummer, performing with both Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and Bob Wills and Texas Playboys as a drummer and being one of the early pioneers of PK Parties. Houck is survived by his son, grandson, four sisters as well as being an active member of both Jay County Gideon’s Camp and Pennville Masonic Lodges.

Net Worth

Houck is one of the wealthiest military officers from United States with an estimated net worth of $5 Million. He served as both Deputy Judge Advocate General of the Navy and Commander, Naval Legal Service Command.

As a pitcher with plenty of promise and the Red Sox’s rotation, he should prove invaluable. His fastball sits between 92-94 mph; additionally, his four-seam has shown promise.

He has experimented with several changeups, yet none has stuck very long. Additionally, his pitch mix may not suit major league baseball as evidenced by high walk rates in each of his three starts resulting in his ERA skyrocketing.