J. Howard Pew
John Howard Pew | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Bradford, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 27, 1971 (aged 89) Ardmore, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Philanthropist, businessman |
| Known for | President of Sunoco, co-founder of The Pew Charitable Trusts |
John Howard Pew (January 27, 1882 – November 27, 1971) was a notable American philanthropist and served as president of Sunoco (formerly Sun Oil Company).
Biography
Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1882, J. Howard Pew was raised in a committed Presbyterian household. His father, Joseph Newton Pew, Sr., launched an oil enterprise in Pennsylvania in 1886, which expanded into Texas following the 1901 Beaumont oil strike, eventually becoming the Sun Oil Company. Pew pursued education at Shady Side Academy, Grove City College, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After completing his studies, he joined his father’s firm as a refinery engineer. In 1912, he and his brother Joseph N. Pew, Jr. assumed leadership of Sun Oil, focusing on refining improvements, marketing strategies, distribution networks, and the advancement of energy ventures. In 1934, Pew acquired and restructured the Chilton Company, a prominent national magazine publisher. He was an early supporter and board member of Christianity Today from its inception in 1956 until his passing and held membership in the Mont Pelerin Society.
Athabasca Oil Sands
Peter McKenzie-Brown of the Petroleum History Society recognized J. Howard Pew as one of six pioneers instrumental in developing the oil sands, alongside chemist Karl Clark, Premiers Ernest Manning and Peter Lougheed, American executive Frank Spragins, and former Suncor CEO Rick George.
Supported by Pew’s investment, Sun Oil’s majority-owned subsidiary, Great Canadian Oil Sands (GCOS), filed Canada’s inaugural application for a commercial oil sands operation in 1962. During the GCOS plant opening in 1967, Pew highlighted the critical role of Athabasca oil for ensuring energy security across North America. Today, GCOS is known as the Suncor oilsands facility.
In recognition of his contributions, Pew was awarded the Vermilye Medal in 1950.
Personal life
Pew was married to Helen Jennings Thompson until her death in 1963. Together they had three children: one son named George T. Pew and two daughters.
He passed away on November 27, 1971, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Philanthropy
J. Howard Pew co-established The Pew Charitable Trusts with his siblings. In 1957, he founded the J. Howard Pew Freedom Trust. He also played a significant role in funding the early development of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts through partnerships with figures such as Billy Graham and Harold Ockenga.
His philanthropic support extended to organizations including the Foundation for Economic Education, American Liberty League, James W. Fifield Jr.’s Spiritual Mobilitzation, and the Barry Goldwater presidential campaign, 1964. Additionally, he made a single contribution of $1,000 to the Liberty Lobby.
While Pew denied formal affiliation with the John Birch Society, he participated on the editorial advisory board for its magazine American Opinion and held shares in Robert Welch, Inc., the society’s publishing company.