After twenty years of working and raising a family, he decided to go back to school and attended Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University, obtaining an M.P.A. (1981). Jack Roderick lived to be 94. He died on October 19, 2020, celebrated by many for his lifelong accomplishments. Family and friends gathered at his house in Anchorage to find out the status of his health. During his last days alive, he encouraged people to vote, and many admirers that came to his home to say goodbye and thanked him for his contributions to the community. His daughter Elizabeth "Libby" Roderick was there, alongside the many friends gathering at his house to say goodbye. Civic leadership Jack Roderick contributed significantly to the civic life of Alaska. As a young adventurous individual in need of money to support his growing family, he drove a truck as a Teamster, a member of the international brotherhood that began in the early 1900. He delivered goods and milk to the North Slope, and in one of those trips he had the idea of starting an oil scouting business called Alaska Scouting Service, later turning it into an enterprise of many businesses: Alaska Abstract Service, Petroleum Publications, Inc., Alaska Petroleum Directory, Alaska Map Service, Van Cleve Printing Company, Alaska Industry magazine, Alaska Title Guaranty Company, Alaska Pacific Capital Corporation (SBIC), and oil exploration companies, Ivy, Inc. (oil & gas leasing). Later, in 1964, it turned into Alaska Exploration Corporation (geological, leasing and exploration). Another of his many accomplishments was Deputy commissioner of State Department of Natural Resources from 1976 to 1978, followed by a position as Alaska Director of US Farmers' Home Administration in 1978. Roderick began his law practice, opening a law firm called Stevens and Roderick (1961–63). After Senator Ted Stevens was appointed to work in Washington DC, the firm became Holland and Roderick (1969–70). During the years 1967–68, Jack Roderick lived abroad with his daughters, Libby and Sarah, and his wife Martha, as a Regional Director of the U.S Peace Corps based in India. Then in 1971–72, he served as a Public Affairs Consultant for Alyeska Pipeline. Roderick became Mayor of the Borough of Anchorage (1972–75). His campaign was managed by his brother David Roderick. During his public service as a mayor of Anchorage, he founded the public transit "People Mover" system, community schools, and The Anchorage Federation of Community Councils. The Community Councils