John O. Harper ’57

John O. Harper ’57 was diagnosed with cancer and passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 2. “Jigger” graduated from Harwich (Massachusetts) High School. He majored in economics and was a member of Beta Theta Pi and in Navy ROTC. He was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Long Beach, California, serving on the destroyer USS Preston. In December 1958 the USS Preston assisted the fire-ravaged Japanese town of Keniya by providing food and clothing. Most of his years of service were on Far East deployments on a regular rotation between tours with the 7th Fleet in the western Pacific and 1st Fleet assignments. While serving in the Navy, Jigger attended American University College of Law. He retired from the Navy, went into private practice, and joined Medical Advisory Systems (MAS) to provide land-to-sea medical assistance for merchant vessels, taking many trips to ports of the world, especially the Mediterranean Sea. Jigger retired from MAS in 2001 and began community service in his longstanding home of Alexandria, Virginia. He was a member of the Alexandria Businessmen’s Club, the Army Navy Country Club, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and Rotary. He was an avid touring cyclist and tennis player year-round. He volunteered at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, sharing his passion for boats, woodworking, and mentoring young men. He supported Dartmouth as an Alumni Fund volunteer and regional club officer (secretary and president). He is survived by his wife, Sally, and son John.