Arthur Pancoe

Arthur Pancoe was a stockbroker, mathematician, philanthropist, veteran, and more. He died on Jan. 16, at 97.

And he was a family man.”He was the greatest grandfather and father,” said his grandson, Alex. “And he was my best friend. He was mischievous, playful, a kid at heart. And he was a mentor to everyone- if you needed good advice, he was there.”

Pancoe’s career in stocks began in 1973, when he was nearly 50. He served a 40-year tenure at Morgan Stanley, where he was as a senior vice president and the executive director of investments for the Pancoe Nakovich Vishnubhakat Group. He also was senior managing partner with Bear Stearns & Co. and vice president for sales for Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co.

A longtime JUF donor, Pancoe served on the JUF Board and its Investment Committee. He supported The Ark and the Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center (both JUF partners); he also supported the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and served as trustee of North Shore Congregation Israel.

Pancoe lived on Chicago’s North Shore for most of his life. He earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in math and physics.

Enlisting in the Navy in 1944, he served in the Pacific Theater, transporting gunpowder and oil through enemy waters. Back home, he joined the family business, rising to vice president, and he also taught math to fellow veterans.

He later earned his master’s degree in mathematics from Northwestern University, an education Pancoe would credit with his ability to read studies on emerging medications, and pick stocks accordingly. He also established Northwestern’s Arthur and Gladys Pancoe Professorship in Mathematics.

“No matter how successful my grandfather became,” Alex said, “he lived a simple life, and focused on giving back, on being there for the community.”

In his free time, Pancoe loved fishing in Lake Geneva, skiing in Vail, and giving stock tips to friends at Harry’s Delicatessen.

Pancoe was the husband of the late Gladys “Hap” Lipschultz, the father of Mariann and Michael Pancoe, and the father-in-law of Ellie. He had four grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of Walter and of the late Earl, Lenore, and Shirley, and son of the late Morris and Florence. Memorials in his name may be made to the Lurie Cancer Center. Arrangements were made by the Weinstein and Piser Funeral Home.