Dear GISMO family,
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed founder and president emeritus, Jack Eichenbaum. Today, we gather as a community to celebrate and honor the life of a true visionary who played an instrumental role in shaping the very essence of our organization.
With a Ph.D. in urban geography from the University of Michigan, Jack’s expertise encompassed quantitative methods, historical urban geography, migration, ethnicity, and technological change. Through his involvement in GISMO, NYC’s GIS user group, as well as non-profit institutions like the Municipal Art Society, and teaching at Hunter College (CUNY), Jack connected with countless individuals, sharing his insights and fostering a sense of community.
Jack was a big believer in the power of collaboration. While working at the NYC Department of Finance he conceived of the idea of creating an organization that brought together all members of the NYC Metro Area GIS community. Then he just did it and GISMO, the Geospatial Information Systems and Mapping Organization was created. Partnering with the Fund for the City of New York, GISMO held monthly meetings at Fund offices. Many of us remember those Lunch and Learn series.
Following the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, as the City was scrambling to organize a response to the disaster, Jack led the effort to recruit GISMO members to participate in the Emergency Mapping and Data Center (EMDC). He helped staff the EMDC with dozens of GIS professionals, working in shifts 24/7 for weeks. Those efforts led to the production of thousands of maps and analytics that supported the entire response community in the days and weeks after the attack. Moreover, Jack became one of the leaders of the EMDC helping to manage operations and providing guidance based on his expertise and experience. His work helped to establish GIS as an essential tool for all disaster responses that came afterward.
In June 2010, Jack was appointed Queens Borough Historian. In this role, he passionately advised the Borough President, convened individuals and organizations dedicated to Queens history, and tirelessly worked towards promoting education, historical attractions, and cultural understanding.
Jack was also a Scrabble champion, earning trophies from tournaments worldwide. His love for the game reflected his wit and linguistic prowess, exemplified by his memorable move spelling out “syzygy” with three Y’s and a Z.
Let us remember Jack not only for his professional achievements but also for the warmth, wisdom, and camaraderie he brought to our GISMO family. His legacy will serve as a guiding light as we continue to build upon the foundations he laid for our community.
Join GISMO and Hunter College on Friday, March 8th at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College from 5-8 PM for a memorial in honor of Jack. It will be in-person and have a Zoom option for those unable to be physically present at the venue. Additional details and RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/JEmemorial030824.
During this time of sorrow, our hearts go out to Jack’s family and friends. May the memory of Jack Eichenbaum be a source of comfort and inspiration for us all.
With Sincere Condolences,
Jiin Wen,
GISMO President
on behalf of GISMO Board of Directors,
Wendy Dorf, Danielle Hartman, Amy Jeu, Alan Leidner, Elia Machado, Dara Mendeloff, Noreen Whysel, and Doug Williamson
We welcome you to post memories of Jack in the Comments below.