Jack August, a historian who made Arizona's people, places and past his life's work, died last month in Phoenix after a brief illness. He was 63.
August authored 10 books, including biographies of former U.S. Senator Dennis DeConcini and former Governor Raul Castro. At the time of his death, he was working with former Governor Fife Symington on an 11th book project. He also was an expert on water resources, as The Arizona Republic noted in reporting his death.
But longtime Arizona Highways readers might remember August for his contributions to the magazine, and for We Call It 'Preskit': A Guide to Prescott and Central Arizona High Country, an Arizona Highways book that's now out of print. August also contributed to The Republic and other publications in the state.
Since last year, August had served as historian and director of institutional advancement at the Arizona Capitol Museum in the Arizona State Library, a division of the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.
Linda Valdez, an editorial writer for The Republic, wrote January 24 that August "was a man who loved Arizona and its history the way a great state deserves to be loved: with curiosity, delight, humor, honesty and a scholar's thoughtfulness."
August's surviving family includes his wife, Kathy. A memorial service was held January 28 in Phoenix.