The USTA Southern California Section is mourning the loss of longtime executive board member Nam Jack of San Marino, who passed away on September 7th at the age of 64. 

“Nam’s passion and dedication to all things Southern California Tennis was immeasurable,” USTA SoCal Board President Bob Hochstadter said. “She was a friend, confidant and advisor and I will be forever appreciative. She was a fierce advocate for the underserved community, and I feel I can safely say very happy with the programs, projects and events that we were working on. Nam was a little dynamo who lived large and gave so much to everyone she touched. She will be greatly missed.”

USTA SoCal Executive Director Trevor Kronemann shared his own words on Jack’s passing.

“She has been a leader in our organization for so long and has been a force in growing the game of tennis in Southern California having played a pivotal role in many areas including the Board, Junior Competition, Executive Board and Secretary,” Kronemann said. “She will be greatly missed and irreplaceable in so many ways.”

A 1980 graduate of Brown University, Jack enjoyed following the Ivy League school’s tennis teams and was so proud daughter Devon Jack’s accomplishment as she played for Brown, graduating in 2020.

“Nam’s unwavering support, enthusiasm, love, belief and encouragement made a lasting impact on the culture of our program,” said Brown Head Coach, Lucie Schmidhauser. “Nam’s larger than life spirit will live on forever. We hold Devon and her family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Jack’s role as Executive Board Member for USTA Southern California impacted countless programs and lives. A few of the many staff and board members who worked closely with Jack shared the following words:

“This is devastating news, what a loss for her family and all of us.”
– Linda Milan

“No words.  I am just so sad.  I so admired Nam’s intelligence, commitment and wicked sense of humor. Such a loss for her family and for us all.”
– Cynthia Neiman 

“She was an amazing woman. Nam gave so much to us, I feel so fortunate to have had an opportunity to work with her on so many projects. No matter how she was feeling, always in the fight for right.”
– Nancy Abrams 

 “I am undone by this news, even knowing Nam for such a short time. She was one of a kind. So fiery about things she was passionate about, so wise, sharp, brave. I deeply valued her advice, which she shared so generously.”
– Gailor Large 

 “Speechless and heartbroken. She was one of a kind and will be missed immensely.”
– Maria Goldberg 

 “I am so sad to hear this news! Nam has left her imprint on the San Gabriel Valley and throughout Southern California. She will be truly missed.”
–Esther Hendershott 

 “Unbelievably sad news. She was so fierce and was really there for me and a lot of us during some tough times. She will be greatly missed.”
– Ai Takamori 

Jack will be remembered for her limitless energy, steadfast belief in fighting for what is right, passion for tennis and education, and for her immeasurable contributions to the section. She will be deeply missed.

Excerpt highlights from her obituary follow:

Nam was born in Seoul, Korea and her father Sun Yup Paik was the first four-star general in the history of South Korea, best known for his service during the Korean War. Growing up, she lived in Taipei, Paris, Ottawa, and Seoul as her father served as the South Korean ambassador to Taiwan, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, several African countries, and Canada. 

Eventually, the family returned to South Korea where her father served as the Minister of Transportation (and, among other things, started the Seoul subway system). She graduated from the Seoul Foreign School in 1976, and attended Brown University, where she received a B.A. in History in 1980. She then attended Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri, receiving a J.D. in 1983.

After graduation from law school, Nam moved to Los Angeles, and worked as a commercial litigation attorney for over 10 years, including at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. She ultimately settled in San Marino, California, where she lived for over 25 years. She was a devoted sports fan, especially tennis and cross-country running, and spent many years cheering on her children around the country as they competed in their respective sports.

After the practice of law, Nam directed her attention to educational, community, and non-profit service activities, including as a Board member and other executive roles for the Southern California Tennis Association, Brown University Sports Foundation Parents Leadership Council, San Marino National Little League, National Charity League of San Marino, Crowell Library Foundation, Lacy Park Tennis Foundation.

Nam is survived by her husband, J. Michael Jack, son Andrew Jack and daughter Devon Jack, mother In Suk Ro, sister Namhi Park and brother-in-law Don, brother Nam Hyuk Paik and sister-in-law SamSung, brother Nam Hung Paik and sister-in-law Lelaine, nephews Ken Park, Christopher Paik, Nicholas Paik, Kyung Ho Paik, and Sung Ho Paik, and niece Michelle Leicht. She was predeceased by her father, Sun Yup Paik.

–

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nam’s memory may be made to The Pasadena Guild of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Post Office Box 51101, Pasadena, CA 91105.