Zeigler, Jack Montgomery, 2004 June 24

This is a Living History interview with Jack Zeigler, class of 1948, conducted by Marilyn Somers on June 24, 2004 at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. The subject is the interviewee’s life, and experiences at Georgia Tech. Mr. Zeigler was born in Thomasville, Georgia on May 19, 1923. He has an older brother, who is also a Tech alumnus, and two sisters. He grew up in Thomasville and played bassoon in his high school band. He was offered a scholarship to play bassoon at the university level but he turned it down. There was never any question in Mr. Zeigler’s mind as to where he would go to college. His father wanted both of his sons to attend Georgia Tech because it was a prestigious school. Mr. Zeigler remembers when Georgia Tech played in the Rose Bowl. He started at Tech in the fall of 1941. He lived in Cloudman Dormitory and was given a RAT Hat to wear. He was living in Cloudman Dormitory when Pearl Harbor occurred. Mr. Zeigler worked three co-op terms with Gwinnell Company; he also worked for Brunswick Marine Ship Corps. He was challenged when he came to Tech and had to learn how to study. Mr. Zeigler was taught by such legends as Dr. Glenn Rainey and Professor Stamy. He was involved in the ROTC program as well as Pi Tau Sigma, the honorary mechanical engineering fraternity. When Mr. Zeigler was activated in the military, he was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas. He also spent time in Fort Lewis, Washington, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Ord, California. When he finally got the orders to go overseas, Mr. Zeigler was sent to the Marshall Islands. He was put in charge of the Officers’ Club at the base he was stationed at. Once Mr. Zeigler returned to the States, he went back to Georgia Tech. He took classes and worked part-time for Robert and Company. He enjoyed working for that company. After graduation, Mr. Zeigler worked for J.E. Sirrine Company, Bryan Associates, and Industrial Supply Company before starting his own piping company which he called FESCO. Mr. Zeigler was married to Sarah Zeigler for forty years. He met Sarah while he worked for Industrial Supply Company. She passed away two years ago. He has one daughter, Sarah, who studied theatre in college. Mr. Zeigler loves Georgia Tech and he likes to help out the school as much as he can.