While he held a position of great responsibility — president of US West telecommunications — Jack MacAllister, who died last week at the age of 87 following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease, very rarely acted like it.
“He wasn’t anywhere close to a typical CEO,” said his daughter Sue, also an employee of the company. “At one point, there were seven Baby Bells (smaller companies created after the government-ordered break up of AT&T) operating, and he would have to go to meetings with the heads of each of them. … He would say he always came out of them rolling his eyes because he thought those guys were just so full of themselves.”
Indeed, part of MacAllister’s charm was an ability and desire to remove the spotlight from himself. While at US West, he established the US West Foundation, dedicated to funding philanthropic community efforts in the company’s 14-state region. He also established Osage Initiatives after an employee met with him regarding the plight of homeless people in Denver. Osage Initiatives provided them with job training, housing, day care and education.
MacAllister also empowered others within the company’s hallways.
“He wouldn’t just give you responsibility, he also gave you the authority to make decisions,” said Judi Servoss, whom MacAllister hired as a vice president at US West. “He trusted a lot. Other people would say they believed you could get the job done, but they would always be looking over your shoulder, almost making it impossible to get it done.
“Jack would let you make the call, and sometimes that took a leap of faith on his part, especially when it was something that he ultimately would he held responsible for.”
MacAllister was born in Humeston, Iowa, on July 12, 1927. While a student at the University of Iowa, he noticed a cute blond playing the snare drum in the school’s marching band. He schemed to be set up on a blind date with her, and soon met the love of his life, Marilyn Anderson.
They married right after they graduated in 1950, and Jack was recruited by the telephone company, known as “Ma Bell” at the time, as a telephone installer for the sum of $50 per week. He and Marilyn rented a basement apartment, began their life together and raised three children, Steve, Jim and Sue.
After 19 moves to five states, in 1982, MacAllister eventually settled into his job as the chief executive officer and chairman of US West. He held that position until his retirement in December 1990.
MacAllister is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Marilyn, children Jim (Kathy), and Sue MacAllister, all of Gunnison; grandchildren Cate, Erin, Trent, Trevor, Carly, Kelly, Allyssa, and Brande Halasz (Xavier); great-grandchildren Tristan and Ellangeline; James (Lisa) Beda; Christy Gray; brother-in-law Larry Anderson and his children Dale and Laurie and their families; and his beloved canine, Pinky. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws J.R. and Eva Anderson, son Steve, grandson David, and grandson-in-law to be, Billy Dwyer.
A celebration of MacAllister’s life is planned in Gunnison this July.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292, acotton@denverpost.com or anthonycottondp
