St. Petersburg Times

1913 - 2004

	During the '60s, Jack Eckerd hooked up with Publix supermarkets to build new strip malls all over Florida. His favorite conveyance, a sporty convertible, kept sun on his pate. [Times file photo]
In 1970, Jack Eckerd ran for Florida governor. Uncomfortable with asking for contributions, he spent more than $1-milion of his own money. [Times file photo]
	The Eckerds examine ticker tape during his company's first trading day on the American Stock Exchange. In 1986, the company bought back all the stock to ward off corporate raiders. [Times files (1964)]
For his 90th birthday, Jack Eckerd visits one of his wilderness camps for troubled teens. Some are emotionally distrubed, most have broken the law, nearly all want to thank their benefactor. [Times photo: Cherie Diez]
	Ruth and Jack Eckerd in 2003. [Times photo: Cherie Diez]

Jack M. Eckerd - drugstore entrepreneur, would-be politician and longtime philanthropist - died May 19, 2004 after a bout with pneumonia.

He was 91.

Best known for founding the drugstores that bear his name, Mr. Eckerd had spent the last four decades giving away much of his wealth to causes close to his heart.

He and his wife, Ruth, have supported St. Petersburg's Eckerd College, Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall and numerous charities in the Clearwater area.

But his biggest passion was helping troubled children. He called them "investments" and quietly set up wilderness camps and other rehabilitative programs that have helped more than 50,000 youths. (more)

In memory
A public figure but a private man
His vision was the modern drugstore
Jack Eckerd photo gallery

Previous coverage
Rise and fall of the Eckerd empire
The heady Eckerd years
Frustrated customers find loyalty has limits
Leaders of the empire
The Eckerd existence; a timeline
Profile of Jack Eckerd