Werk, Jack

Apr. 3, 1944 - Feb. 14, 2010

Jack Richard Werk  Resident of Fremont Jack Werk, 65, passed away peacefully at his Fremont home Sunday, February 14, surrounded by his daughter and friends after a battle with cancer. Born and raised in Castro Valley, Jack played varsity basketball and graduated from Castro Valley High School in 1962. While growing up, Jack had two passions: music and selling subscriptions for the Oakland Tribune. Jack was a superstar paperboy and won numerous awards and trips from the Oakland Tribune during his youth when he honed his skills for business, and after high school Jack attended San Jose State University. Jack eventually obtained a real estate broker’s license and was partner in the successful Mission West Realtors, but a chance trip to the Kentucky Derby in 1976 flamed what would become his true passion in life: horse racing and breeding. First a hobby, Jack soon parlayed his interests in racing and breeding in the mid-eighties into the most well known and successful Thoroughbred consulting business in the country -- Werk Thoroughbred Consultants, Inc. WTC pioneered many elements of commercial pedigree analysis that are standards in the industry now, and its clients include the Who's Who of the business. In 1998, Jack reached the pinnacle of the sport when WTC client Eduardo Gaviria's Real Quiet won the Kentucky Derby. Jack and his staff had recommended the mating that produced Real Quiet. Jack was president and CEO of WTC, Inc., up until his death. A world traveler with a penchant for making life-long friendships, Jack touched many lives through his humor, intelligence, and sharp wit. He maintained a passion for music, travel, and foreign film and has been referred to by many as their "best friend." He is survived by his children, Steven Werk and Kristina Werk, as well as his mother, Jean Werk, and sister, Shelley Werk, and a host of friends around the world. Jack, you will be missed, always loved, remembered, and never forgotten.

Note; Jack was assigned to City Central Zone as a Field Adviser alongside with Jim Rashliegh working under Maurice Johnson in 1968-69.