Several descriptive phrases are universal in description of Jack; generous, cheerful, faithful, dedicated - He was truly one of the great scientists of our time, and personified integrity and honesty in all his dealings

Jack's lifetime in the field of Infant Nutrition began In 1941, when he received a BS in chemistry. It was followed by a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1944. In 1952 he was awarded an MD from the University of Rochester. Over the next 13 years he held a part-time position at Ohio State in the Faculty of Pediatrics, and also worked at Ross Laboratories where, under his leadership the infant formula Similac with iron was developed.

In 1965 Jack left Ross to focus on teaching and research at the University of Iowa. Over the following decade he occupied virtually every influential position related to nutrition in the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council. After “retiring” in 1986, Jack served four years as Executive Director of the International Life Sciences Institute - Nutrition Foundation. The author of an extensive list of publications, he was a recipient of the A.M.A.'s Goldberger Award in Clinical Nutrition, he was named American College of Nutrition Award Lecturer and listed in Who's Who in America. In 1987 he was made a Fellow of the American Institute of Nutrition. Jack was forever an advocate for infants and children - a pediatrician in the truest sense. He dedicated his career to infant feeding and nutrition, and his depth of knowledge cannot be matched. As a result of his contributions, the world is a better place, most of all for "kids".

Dr. Filer was a distinguished member of the Board of Trustees of the Heinz Institute of Nutritional Sciences and a member of the Advisory Council of the Infant Nutrition Institute. His counsel and contributions will be sorely missed.