Impor­tant update to appli­ca­tion process

Impor­tant update to appli­ca­tion process

Jack's Early Years 1917-1935 The Seeds Of Tektronix 1936-1945 Tektronix And Beyond 1946-1971 The Trust 1975-2025

One Lifetime Leads to Another

Explore Jack Murdock's life and his legacy continuing through the Murdock Trust.

Jack’s Early Years

The Seeds of Tektronix

Tektronix and Beyond

1975-1984

1985-1994

1995-2004

2005-2014

2015-2025

Jack’s Early Years

  1. Jack Murdock is born in Portland, Oregon

  2. 16-year-old Jack Murdock writes an autobiography for a school assignment, reflecting on his experiences from infancy through high school

  3. Jack graduates from Franklin High School, where he served as their resident electrician

  4. Jack opens the Murdock Radio and Appliance Company

The Seeds of Tektronix

  1. Jack begins working with Howard Vollum at Murdock Radio and Appliance Company

  2. Jack begins his service in the Coast Guard during World War II

Tektronix and Beyond

  1. Jack and Howard co-found Tektronix in Beaverton, OR

  2. Tektronix has 300 employees and sales
of $4 million

  3. Jack learns to fly in Hillsboro, Oregon, igniting what would become both a passion and business

  4. Tektronix has 3,000 employees and sales of $32 million

  5. Jack elected Chairman of the Board at Tektronix

  6. Jack pursues hobbies outside of technology and aviation, including ice skating with friends, and serves as Vice President of the Portland Figure Skating Club

  7. Jack operates a Piper Aircraft distributorship in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and British Columbia

  8. Jack and Howard receive awards for their 20th anniversary at Tektronix

  1. Jack tragically dies in a floatplane accident on the Columbia River at the age of 53

  2. The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is founded, per Jack’s instructions in his will

1975-1984

  1. The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust is founded under the leadership of three Trustees (Jim Castles, Paul Boley, and Walter Dyke)

  2. Dr. Sam Smith becomes the first Trust Executive Director

  3. The Trust holds its first grants meeting, awarding 14 grants to nonprofits in Oregon and Washington

  4. The Trust expands its giving to include Montana

  5. The Trust expands its giving to include Alaska

  6. The Trust expands its giving to include Idaho

1985-1994

  1. 1,000th grant awarded

  2. Lyn Swanson joins as Trustee, succeeding Paul Boley

  3. The Trust moves its offices to Broadway in downtown Vancouver, WA

  4. Ford Anderson becomes the second Trust Executive Director

  5. The Trust launches the Murdock College Science Research and Partners in Science programs

1995-2004

  1. Neal Thorpe and John Castles join as Trustees, succeeding Walter Dyke and Jim Castles, respectively

  2. Neal Thorpe becomes the third Trust Executive Director

  3. The Trust launches nonprofit support programs under the name 'Enrichment Programming,' which would go on to include Board Leadership, Essentials of Development, Vision & Call, and more

2005-2014

  1. Dr. Steve Moore becomes the fourth Trust Executive Director

  2. Jeff Grubb joins as Trustee, succeeding Neal Thorpe

  3. 5,000th grant awarded

2015-2025

  1. The Trust celebrates 40 years of partnering with Pacific Northwest Nonprofits

  2. Jeff Pinneo joins as Trustee, succeeding Lyn Swanson

  3. The Trust moves its offices to the Vancouver Waterfront

  4. The Trust surpasses $1 billion in lifetime grants

  5. Romanita Hairston becomes the fifth Trust CEO

  6. The Trust moves to a sectoral model of grantmaking to strengthen investment in specific areas of focus

2025 and beyond

As we celebrate 50 years, we look ahead with a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and lasting impact. Join us as we shape the next half century together.

Explore More of Our 50th Anniversary

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