Jack Rafferty was one of the original staff members of Erhard Seminars Training, the ground breaking transformational education program that is a predecessor to the Landmark Forum. Est started in San Francisco in 1971 and went on to influence generations of people in the fields of personal growth, leadership, responsibility, and possibility. A longtime colleague of Werner Erhard, Jack was part of the small original team that helped bring est into being, and he is remembered by many as uniquely funny, compassionate and forever young a heart.
Following his early work with est, Jack devoted much of his life to the exploration of love, relationships, and authentic human connection. Through decades of courses, coaching, writing, and mentoring,. He helped thousands of people deepen their capacity for honesty, vulnerability, friendship, and love. On the day of his passing, July 4th a previously written post was made by his account to his own Facebook page that reads as follows:
“it is with profound love and gratitude that Jack Rafferty wishes to send love to all his friends of last 94 1/2 years, but it was time to travel on to the next journey, peacefully and full of love. There was no pain. and I went to sleep and didn’t awaken. I have departed this body on the morning of July 4th at 4am 2026 PST at my home in Los Angeles, CA after one day in Hospice, and I am committed to sharing LOVE and PEACE with all of you in all other ways. I know you are planning a celebration life for me in the near future, but take your time – and in the meantime live life fully! Now that I wrote a memoir that will be published in the near future. please read it. If you wish to reach out please contact: JackRaffertyFoundation@gmail.com which has been created to continue doing the good work in this world that I have committed my life to. I love you, Jack”
If you would like to share your own memories you can join the conversation on his Facebook page