A Syracuse University alumnus (class of 1942) and former Hendricks Chapel Board co-president, Rev. Dr. John H. “Jack” McCombe was chosen from more than thirty candidates to succeed Dean Noble. His career began in the diplomatic service at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, where he decided he could best serve humanity as a minister. He earned his bachelor of divinity at Union Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the National University in Cuzco, Peru. He served as a Methodist pastor in New York City from 1951 to 1959 and worked for the American Bible Society, including three years in Japan.
McCombe believed the chapel had to experiment to stay vital, or it would become “a caretaker of religion.” Under his leadership, the chapel became a “virtual laboratory of religion,” students gained more control over Sunday services, and he worked to build an ecumenical spirit among faith groups. He also served as chief fundraiser for an addition to the chapel in honor of Charlie Noble.
Known as Jack, McCombe was warm and gregarious, and he loved using his language skills, particularly Spanish and Japanese. His wife, Dory, and their daughters recalled that his happiest times were with groups of students.