A few years ago we had the pleasure of activating our Photo Experience at the John Bogle Forum at the Museum of American Finance on Wall Street.  It was a star-studded group of investment leaders and many “Bogelheads” celebrating the legacy of the man who founded Vanguard and invented the index fund. 

The luminaries included former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Paul Volcker, and three former SEC commissioners.    It was obvious that the admiration and respect for Mr. Bogle was widespread. 

Over the course of two days we created portraits of attendees and presenters, highlighted by a session with Mr. Bogle himself.  

According to Fortune magazine Mr. Bogle was one of four investment giants of the 20th century, yet as we spoke with Mr. Bogle on our set, what came across was the fact that he was a man of character, of experience, of wisdom and kindness, and most of all, that he was humble.   

Mr. Bogle happened to notice that we had brought our own simple crew lunch that day; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Instead of going to the lunch which had been provided for event guests and speakers, Mr. Bogle asked if we had an extra PB&J, saying that it was his favorite thing in the world to eat.  We happily shared our lunch with Mr. Bogle and seeing the glee with which he devoured the PB&J made us all smile.

On the occasion of the passing of Jack Bogle, we remember our lunch together fondly and share some quotes that others have said about him:

Bloomberg:  “Jack Bogle’s legacy is rooted in the concept that investing should be conducted solely in the interest of shareholders and investors.”

The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing:  “While some mutual fund founders chose to make billions, he chose to make a difference.”

William Clinton, 42nd President of the United States:  “With his own impeccable credentials in finance, Bogle reminds us that the United States was built upon a tradition of hard work, temperance and duty.”

Arthur Levitt, former Chairman of the SEC:  “Jack Bogle has given investors throughout the world more wisdom and good financial judgment than any person in the history of market.”

Paul Samuelson, Nobel Laureate:  “I rank the Bogle invention — the index fund— along with the invention of the wheel, the alphabet, Gutenberg printing and wine and cheese.”

Jonsar Studios:  “Mr. Bogle was an investment genius, a man of superior intellect and character, who never forgot the simple pleasure of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”