John R. “Jack” Davis, an industrialist and the largest individual donor to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, died Jan. 23 after a long illness. He was 89.

Davis, a 1955 graduate of the UB engineering school, and his wife, Barbara, donated $5 million to the engineering school; Barbara and Jack Davis Hall is named in their honor.

“I hear students talking all the time about how much they love being in this building,” said engineering dean Kemper Lewis. “His vision and his commitment have helped elevate us to the No. 2 public engineering school in the Northeast. An achievement like that doesn’t happen without the support and devotion of someone like Jack Davis.”

After graduating from UB with a degree in industrial engineering, Davis served in the Marine Corps Reserves and the Coast Guard. He worked for General Motors Corp.’s Tonawanda foundry and Carborundum Co. before founding I Squared R Element Co., which makes silicon carbide and disilicide heating elements and hot surface igniters used in high-temperature electric furnaces and appliances.

The company, one of the region’s most prominent and successful manufacturing businesses, is the only U.S. manufacturer of these products.

In addition to the 2010 gift for the construction of Davis Hall, Davis arranged for I Squared R profits to fund scholarships for Western New York students pursuing an engineering education at UB.

Watch a video of Davis’ life and contributions to UB.

A memorial service is being planned for mid-April in Davis Hall.