John “Jack” F. Wiegers, beloved educator, physicist, and lifelong advocate for science education, passed away on October 19, 2025. Jack’s career spanned nearly 70 years, leaving a profound impact on generations of students and teachers in St. Louis and beyond.
Jack graduated from St. Louis University High School in 1950, where he was an honor student, golf team member, and president of the Science Club. He went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in Philosophy from St. Louis University, later receiving a fellowship from Washington University to earn a master’s degree in physics.
Jack began his teaching career at Rockhurst High School and College in Kansas City, then returned to St. Louis to teach physics at University City High School starting in 1971. He became Science Department Chair in 1983 and was recognized for his dedication to hands-on, inquiry-based science learning. In 1976, Jack received a Fulbright Scholarship to study and teach physics in England.
Recognizing the need to improve science education for students entering high school, Jack was instrumental in developing the Science Outreach program in the 1980s, securing $3 million in funding from the National Science Foundation. This initiative, with support from Washington University, focused on enhancing science education at the elementary level and led to the formation of the Institute for School Partnership (ISP) at Washington University, which now supports over 5,000 teachers.
Jack’s leadership and vision earned him numerous accolades, including the University City Superintendent’s Choice Award (1994–1995) and the first Gene Fuchs Memorial Lifetime Accomplishment Award from the St. Louis Area Physics Teachers in 2015. He also founded the St. Louis Area Physics Teachers (SLAPT) in 1985 to promote collaboration and professional development among science educators.
Jack is remembered as a mentor and leader, continuing to participate in monthly lunch meetings with retired University City teachers. He inspired, colleagues with his love of learning and relentless pursuit of understanding. Jack also enjoyed walks in the Missouri Botanical Gardens, golfing, handball with his wife, restoring the family home on Ann Ave. in St. Louis, and traveling.
His legacy lives on through the ISP and the countless students, educators, family, and friends whose lives he touched.
Jack was predeceased by his wife, Anne (Kelly) Chilson and by his sister Joan Wiegers Lingner. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law (Jean and Anton Jacobs), by nephews and nieces (Jennifer Lingner, Gerard “Gerry” Lingner III, Cynthia Fletcher, Paul Roth, Charity Holliday, Daniel Roth, Elizabeth “Libby” Stoddard), by very dear friends (Robert Singer, LaDonna Haley, Victoria May, Frank Duke, and Lammert “Bert” Otten, S.J., Patrick Gibbons), great nieces and nephews, many cousins, friends, colleagues, and former students who cherish his memory and contributions to science education.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in the memory and honor of Jack Wiegers to the Institute for School Partnership. For those who wish to give electronically, they can use this link: https://wustl.advancementform.com/campaign/gifts-wustl-edu/give?0_d_tr1=61&0_d_tr2=258
Checks can be made out to the Institute for School Partnership (ISP), marked J. Wiegers memorial and mailed to: MSC 1082-414-2555, Washington University, 1 Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-9989.
I will always remember Uncle Jack greeting me as Charity Ann in a grand and simultaneously affectionate manner. Outings with uncle Jack, where a delight as he was so charming and his Irish eyes lit up when he talked to folks we would meet. Decades ago, when I still lived in St. Louis, he and I went to the Missouri botanical garden when there happened to be be a plant sale. More specifically it was all herbs and a ‘volunteering lady’ inquired about his purchase. He shared his process of making a mint julep she lean forward asking if he would perhaps consider making two … as in “tea for two” 😉 Long after that, Jack and Anne visited Kansas City and went venturing in Brookside. Seeing them strolling hand-in-hand will always be a dear memory. Uncle Jack also adored children and he always ask me about my sons Canon Lindgren and Joey Holliday. I’m glad they also have fond memories of both Uncle Jack and dear Aunt Anne <3
I remember Jack’s leadership in science education at University City High School from my time on the Board of Education in the 1980s. He was dedicated to his students and I am grateful for all that he did.
Dear Jack,
I will treasure the limited times we had spent together. You were always so warm and accepting.
I also remember when you re-introduced yourself to me at the U-City beginning of the school year picnic in 1986(?).
I am certain you will be missed by all the folks whose lives you touched.
Douggie
I have such profound respect for Jack. His impact on science education in the school district of University City helped so many of us elementary teachers in U City bring science education down to even the kindergarten level in our schools and especially in Delmar Harvard and Flynn Park where I taught many years. The collaboration that was fostered between him., our district and Washington University will never be forgotten. There was never a better man and educator than Jack and I am eternally grateful.
Jack was a great mentor and friend . He single handily helped me to instill the joy of science . His absence in education will be missed . Rest easy Jack
As an English teacher at U. City High in the 1970’s and ’80’s, I respected Jack so much for his knowledge and his enthusiasm for science and teaching as well as his for his leadership of the faculty. If an issue came up at a meeting that I wasn’t sure about, I just looked to Jack and voted as he did. I knew that would be right.