Jack Vanier John K. “Jack” Vanier August 6, 1928 – February 10, 2023 To call Jack Vanier a founding father of a bygone rural Kansas culture would be three things at once. An understatement, a compliment, and a chance for Jack to respond in his characteristic unassuming nature – accompanied by that brilliant smile – that he was just doing what came naturally. In his self-effacing, low-key way, it would also offer a golden opportunity for Jack to take issue with the “bygone” sentiment. Soft-spoken and successful. Kind and productive. Reliable and generous. If someone were to ask, “What does it mean to be called ‘the salt of the Earth?” One would only need to spend a few minutes talking about Jack Vanier to get