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 Robert A. Epsen
Robert A. Epsen, 83, of Mill Valley, California, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2023 from cancer. Bob was born May 25, 1939, to parents Robert and Lillian Epsen and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Westminster School in Connecticut, he attended Princeton University and graduated in 1961. He joined Colonial Club, served on the UG Schools Committee and the Orange Key, and roomed with John O'Neil senior year.
That year his family moved to Hillsborough, California and shortly thereafter he married and had daughters Lisa and Francie, residing on the Peninsula. Bob worked as a Vice President of Hibernia Bank while also serving in the Army Reserves. After five years, Bob attended Stanford Law School and upon graduation he joined the historic San Francisco law firm Heller, Ehrman, White and McAuliffe in 1971. Bob practiced corporate law and after making partner in San Francisco went on to work in the Hong Kong office for one year and opened the Los Angeles office in 1988 for two years. Following a distinguished career, he was named General Counsel before retiring in 2004. Bob was intelligent, hard-working, humble, and dedicated to his clients. He was known for his integrity and always adhered to the highest standard of ethics. He treasured his friends and colleagues and was a beloved member of the San Francisco firm for 33 years. Bob remained in close contact with his dear friends from Princeton and his many colleagues from Heller Ehrman.
In 1988 he married Leslie West, the sister of his Princeton roommate Olin West, and had a wonderful marriage for 21 years settling in Tiburon, CA. Bob and Leslie loved to travel, fly fish and spend time with their children, grandchildren, extended family, friends and their beloved Australian Shepards. Nothing was more important to Bob than family and he especially treasured time with his granddaughters. Known as "Pappe", Bob had a wonderful relationship with each granddaughter, celebrating and mentoring their academic and artistic pursuits throughout the years.
Bob was a longtime member of the Pacific-Union Club and the Guardsmen. He was on the Board of Trustees for Crystal Springs and Uplands School and served as Board Chair for two years.
Bob is predeceased by his wife Leslie Epsen in 2009 and his brother Bill Epsen in 2021. He is survived by his sister Katie Millhiser, daughters Lisa Epsen Lenzo (Christopher) and Frances Epsen Devlin (Patrick) and his granddaughters Isabella and Alexandra Lenzo, Penelope and Lillian Devlin as well as his stepson Robert Lee Underwood III (Christine) and their children Kalani and Kaia Underwood, along with nieces and a nephew.
At Bob's request there will be no memorial service. Donations can be made to the CPMC Foundation, The Guardsmen and the Humane Society of Sonoma County. Posted 5/22/23 |
 George H. Hawks
Dr. George H. Hawks III ("Woody") a longtime resident of Naples NY died Thursday March 23rd at 84 during a trip to Texas. A graduate of Princeton University (BA 64', Ph.D 68'), where he played baseball and ate at Cap & Gown. He took leave from grad school to serve in the U.S. Marine Corp seeing active service as a short wave radio specialist during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During his service he was selected as starting pitcher for the US Marine Corps fast pitch softball league in Hawaii. A Fulbright Scholar and recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Stipendium, Woody did his post baccalaureate at the University Munich, ultimately joining the the Eastman Kodak Company as a research Chemist in 1968. At Kodak his work earned numerous patents and wide recognition during a 34 year career. His passion for the sciences were fostered by his beloved grandfather Dr. Albert K. Chapman, himself a pioneer of aerial photography and former Kodak chairman. An avid sailor and member of the Rochester Yacht Club he was a central part of the legendary team that won invitation to the 1979'Congressional Cup in California crewing on RAMPAGE. An autodidact with wide interests, Woody had an infectious sense of humor and wit practically in a class by himself. As a father of five, the Hawks family mourns the loss of our bright light. Woody is survived by his third wife Elizabeth Hawks, children Jason (Val) Hawks, Macy Flenner (Elijah) of Fort Collins Colorado, Alida Hawks and three grandchildren from his first marriage. A son Haywood Chapman Hawks of Brighton and daughter Catharine Pritchard Hawks of Miami, Florida from his second marriage. His sister Victoria Lombardy of Rome Italy and many nieces and nephews. A brother, Albert Kincaid Hawks predeceased him. Woody will be remembered for his uncompromising ethics, imagination, and his sensitivity to the human condition. Of many philanthropic interests, a life long advocacy for Native American causes was particularly important. A celebration of life will take place this summer.
Posted 5/18/23 |
 Paul P. Rubincam
Paul Pierre Rubincam Jr., a resident of Palos Verdes Estates CA, passed away on Friday March 17, 2023 in Redondo Beach, California. Paul was 83. Paul was predeceased by his parents Paul P. Rubincam, Sr. and Alice Rubincam (Bradshaw), his sister Ann Rose and brother-in-law Paul Z. Rose. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Suzanne R. Rubincam; son Paul Richard (Rich) Rubincam (wife Denise); daughter Amy Rubincam Steadman (husband Will); sister Lee Rubincam; and three granddaughters Chloe Rae Rubincam, Summer Elizabeth Steadman and Mia Christine Steadman. Paul was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and attended Princeton University, where he took his meals at Quadrangle Club, and roomed with Rudell, Lane, Gray, Alexander, and Platt. He was in Navy ROTC, played 150-lb. football, and was on the swim/dive team. After graduating, Paul served in the Navy on the USS Stoddard. On a road trip with shipmates, he crashed a Debutante Ball, where he met Sue, whom he won over with his (allegedly tipsy) charm. They fell in love, married and moved to their Lunada Bay neighborhood where they resided for 55 years. Paul was gentle, steadfast and funny and maintained life-long friendships with his fellow Tigers as well as neighbors with whom he helped maintain and regularly run the local ParCourse. He was a consummate putterer, organizer, and tidier, and was known as a man who never swore ("ratsafrats!") A modest yet dapper dresser, Paul donned a hat for most occasions. And while not outwardly competitive, he rarely lost in Scrabble. (Only an avid hat-wearer like him could score 40 points with "fez".) Paul loved the beach and bodysurfing, golfing with Rich, cheering the UCLA Bruins with Amy, and spending time as "Papa" to the delight of his beloved granddaughters. He was a regular sports spectator (Super Bowl party host, college basketball and football, and Sunday afternoon golf were his favorites) and occasionally used a lull in the action to "just rest his eyes." He was a sweetly devoted and patient husband, and friends and family knew them as inseparable "Paul and Susie". Paul spent his career in the insurance industry; where he was both successful and perfectly suited, as he naturally planned and protected those he cared about. Most recently, he was an executive with Residence and Western Mutual Insurance. After his retirement, Paul was active in the Palos Verdes Estates Parklands Committee and Rotary Club. Per Paul's wishes, no funeral or memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to help find a cure for Alzheimers. Posted 5/13/23 |
 Robert B. Haines
Robert Bronson (Bob) Haines, 83, of Tewksbury, New Jersey, passed away on May 9, 2023 in Morristown, New Jersey. Bob was born in Plainfield, New Jersey to Robert and Charlotte Haines on November 27, 1939. After graduating from high school, Bob went on to earn his B.A. cum laude from Princeton University, where he took his meals at Key & Seal and roomed with Dave Peterson and Pete Thauer. From there, Bob was recruited into the U.S. Army, where he served for two years. He went on to receive his LL.B. from University of Virginia School of Law and a Master’s Degree from New York University. Bob’s expertise was in estate planning and tax strategies, and he practiced law in New Jersey for his entire professional career. While Bob liked to travel, his favorite place was with his wife, Ellen Siegel, and at least one Golden Retriever, on the porch at the house they shared on Shelter Island, New York. They were summer residents there, and Bob served on the Shelter Island Heights Board and the North Ferry Board. Bob was also a member of the Shelter Island Yacht Club. Two organizations were near to Bob’s heart. He was an active board member of the Frost Valley YMCA and the Hunterdon Art Museum. He was also involved with his alma mater, Princeton. Bob was an avid patron of the New York Philharmonic, American Ballet Theater, and New York City Ballet. In his younger years, Bob loved biking and sailing. Bob is survived by his wife, Ellen Siegel, of Tewksbury, NJ, and Shelter Island Heights, NY. He is also survived by his step-daughters and their spouses, Jane Rosenthal and Barry Stenger and Anne Rose-Mason and Stephen Mason. Bob had five grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the Frost Valley YMCA and the Hunterdon Art Museum. Donation information is available on their websites. In lieu of a funeral service, we hope his friends and loved ones will raise a glass of their best wine and share memories of Bob with each other. Posted 5/13/23 |
 Stephen A. Heller
Steve grew up in South Orange, NJ, where he graduated from Columbia High School in 1957. He later attended Princeton University, graduating Cum Laude (Biology) in 1961. He ate at Court Club, and roomed with Ken Moyle, Dave Fisher, and Mike Miles.
He went on to attend NYU Medical School, graduating in 1965 with a doctorate in medicine. He spent four years as resident and Chief Resident at University Hospital and Bellevue Hospital in New York City between 1966 and 1970. As Chief Resident he received the Kyman G. Barton Memorial Award for being the Honor Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) in 1970. In 1962, Stephen joined the Navy as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Reserve Officer in the Medical Corps. His active duty was deferred per the Berry Plan so that he could complete his Medical Residency. Afterwards, he went on to serve active duty from 1970 to 1972 as Lieutenant Commander on the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. There, Stephen was the sole OB-GYN doctor, caring for all women on base. This is also where he met Dr John Hodgers, who would become one of his best friends and his future partner in their medical practice. Stephen married the love of his life, Suzanne Berninger, on December 3, 1967. They met at Bellevue Hospital in New York City where Suzanne was Head Nurse in the ICU/Recovery unit. They had three sons, Geoffrey, Mark, and Jonathan. After their time in Cuba, Dr Heller and his family relocated to Washington state. He considered the Pacific Northwest to be "home" for the rest of his life and raised his family here. He always felt at home in the casual, outdoor atmosphere that is the PNW. Dr Heller practiced with Dr Hodgers for many years at Valley General Hospital in Renton, WA. They had a thriving and busy practice which grew to include additional doctors and associates over the years. Known as Steve to his closest friends and family but as Dr. Heller to everyone else, he was a practical and old-fashioned man. According to his son Jonathan, he insisted on the medical title because he was proud of his profession and felt that it identified him. Having delivered thousands of babies, Dr. Heller was proud that he always gave his patients the very best care. Dr. Heller benefited from an excellent memory. He could recall information from something he read decades before. His children made the mistake once of challenging him in a game of Trivial Pursuit. After Steve had ‘mopped the floor’ with them, they never wanted to play against him again. It was important to him to take care of his mind, having watched his mother suffer from dementia. Dr. Heller made a dedicated effort to keep his memory sharp as he grew older, never losing the ability to recall a story or remember important moments. Dr. Heller lived a full and adventurous life. He and Suzanne traveled to more than thirty countries, took three African safaris, and several weeklong white water rafting trips. He greatly enjoyed playing competitive bridge in retirement and was known as "Doc" to all his bridge club pals. Dr. Heller also loved to go fishing, especially for salmon. Mark remembers him always trying new lures and techniques in his constant hunt for “Big Smiley” (the giant salmon that lurked in the deeps). While growing up, his kids would sometimes hear him say “When I die, put my ashes in a bottle of gin, place a fishing pole on top, and cast me into the ocean.” Some of the family’s fondest memories of Dr. Heller are around food. He loved to go crabbing and then cook and serve his catch to friends and family. All the boys have memories of their father spending hours teaching them how to grill steaks and hamburgers. As Geoffrey remembered, “He spent all of 10 minutes describing how the birds and the bees worked (which was horrifying), but he spent countless hours teaching us all how to grill. He was a man with priorities, and his priority was steak.” Dr. Heller also loved Thanksgiving – a holiday meant not just for a feast, but for appreciating everyone and everything in your life. He always carved a picture-perfect turkey that no one could replicate (his sons swore it was the surgeon in him). When Dr. Heller neared death from kidney failure he made the decision as to when to depart this world. It was important for him to die on his own terms—when the whole family could be with him and be there to support each other. Dr. Heller is survived by his three sons: Geoffrey Heller, 53; Mark Heller, 51; and Jonathan Heller, 48, their wives Laura, Jutta, and Jennifer, along with his granddaughter Madeline, 13. He is also survived by his sister Lois Martin, nieces Amy Feiner, Julie Zomerdyke, and Margot Feiner. Dr. Heller was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Esther Heller. Memorial donations can be sent to the Seattle Times Fund for those in Need or NW Kidney Centers. The family prefers no flowers be sent. Posted 5/10/23 |
 David S. Beall
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of David Strickland Beall on the 19th of March in his Hunters Creek Village, TX home, surrounded by his two loving children. David was born on the 5th of April, 1939 in Washington D.C., where he spent his childhood. He graduated from St. Albans School in 1957 and from Princeton University in 1961 with a degree in physics, where he was a fencer and a member of Charter Club. David conducted several years of research in experimental space physics at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. He changed his career focus to computers, earning a Master's degree of computer science at The University of Wisconsin in 1972. He designed mostly technical software applications, including orientation control for a lunar orbiter and graphics database systems for engineering design.
David married Dorothy Irrgang in 1974. They moved to Houston where he and Dorothy lovingly raised their two children. He is survived by his son Christopher Strickland Beall, daughter-in-law Erin Weled Beall and grandson, daughter Katherine Beall Kingsbury, brother Gordon Beall, niece Kirsten Beall, and nephew Jack Beall. He is predeceased by his father Jack Beall, mother Bonita Wilson Beall, brother Jack Beall Jr., brother Alan Beall, sister-in-law Rosemary Irrgang Beall, and his devoted wife Dorothy Irrgang Beall who passed away in January 2022.
David was an avid learner, reader, critical thinker, and passionate news follower. One could always count on a lively discussion on topics such as politics, world affairs, or more casual topics like cars, or sports. (David was a lifelong Washington Redskins fan!) He also greatly enjoyed music of all kinds, but held a particular interest in operas and classical music. He created a sanctuary space for his music collection and enjoyed listening to music while poring over a crossword puzzle. He was an amateur astronomer for some time and also enjoyed sailing in his younger years. A talented painter of oil paintings, David took pride in his art and won awards in high school under the instruction of his beloved teacher, Dean Stambaugh. Taking delight in his long term relationships forged with St. Albans and Princeton classmates, David kept in close contact with many dear friends, keeping them in his thoughts and close to his heart at all times. He made several road trips from Houston to the Washington D.C. area, particularly in the 2000’s, to visit treasured friends and to relive his glory days. Those trips delighted him and he cherished those memories with enormous fondness.
We are better for having known him; he will be deeply missed by all those he touched and loved. Chris and Katherine are grateful for the final care given to him by Vantage Hospice and At Your Side. We also embrace Kim Bunma, nearly a family member, for decades of faithful service in our home.
Posted 3/26/23 |
 Thomas F. Powers
Tom was born December 14, 1939 in Morristown, New Jersey to Patrick and Marjorie Powers. He was a member of the National Guard. Tom married Ruth Pinches in 1995 and they spent time in New Jersey and Manhattan. Tom and Ruth moved to the Vail region of Colorado—the area they loved most for outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking—after Ruth’s retirement. Tom was a stock broker for many years. He earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering at Princeton, where he joined Charter Club. His roommates were MacNeil, Lopez, Cy Adams, Baker and Merrill Burton.
He earned a Master’s of Business administration at Harvard, and then went into investment banking. Tom is preceded in death by his dear companion Ruth and his parents. He is survived by his daughter Jenny Powers, sister in law Kay Moore and brother in law Charles Pinches. Posted 3/6/23 |
Lawrence J. Landwehr
Lawrence spent his preschool years in Dallas, Texas, as well as with his beloved maternal grandparents at their ranch in western Kansas. He attended schools in Garden City, Kan., graduating valedictorian of his high school class. He then attended Princeton University for two years (he joined Cannon Club), Tulane University for one year, and was next accepted into the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder.
Upon graduation he practiced law in Colorado Springs. He and his first wife, Ann, were instrumental in establishing the Head Start Program in Colorado. Lawrence later took a position with Rockwell International in Orange County, Calif. He led a team of negotiators. Rockwell provided many components of the spaceship which first landed on the moon while he worked there. He next earned a doctorate at USC in Political Science. He and his family, which included wife, Ann, his daughter, Elaine, and son, Mark, then moved to Neenah, Wis., where Lawrence taught at UW Oshkosh. He later was a member of the Winnebago County Board and practiced Law. He next worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Sauk County, Wis, finally retiring in 2007.
After being divorced for a number of years he married his current wife, Eileen, on Sept. 6, 1997. He leaves behind his wife, daughter and son, two stepchildren and four grandchildren. Those who knew him appreciated his fine character and wonderful sense of humor. Lawrence is greatly missed.
A memorial service was held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Posted 3/6/23 |
 Ronald E. Rossman
Ron Rossman, of Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on May 2nd, 2022 at the age of 82. At Princeton, his major was Biology. He worked at the Prince, joined Hillel and Court Club, as well as the Pre-med Society. His roommates were Ed Dubrow and Peter Rosenberg. He received his MD from Penn in 1965, and two years of military service, including Viet Nam, before practicing medicine in Washington, DC and Philadelphia. He and his wife Beth had one daughter, Lauren, and one grandchild. Services and Interment were private. Posted 3/6/23 |
 William S. Rukeyser
The OPC and OPC Foundation are deeply dismayed to report that William Rukeyser, who founded Money magazine and served as managing editor of Fortune, died Aug. 16 in Knoxville, Tennessee, at the age of 83. The cause was lung cancer, his wife of 58 years, Elisabeth, said. Bill was a veteran on the OPC Foundation board, an OPC member, and was one of the primary architects of the foundation’s financial strategy. He created the structure for the reserved funds that allowed the foundation to grow and add more scholarships. He also was a generous donor and served as a liaison with the Princeton Press Club at Princeton University. At Princeton Bill was an English major, a member of Campus Club, wrote for PAW and the Prince, and was President of the Press Club. He remained active as a senior advisor to the Press Club to the end of his life. In Knoxville, where he lived, he was a former chair of the board of directors of the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Joseph Landsman, President and CEO, described how Bill was known for his collaborative relationship between administrators and physicians and how he believed that nurturing and preserving a shared sense of purpose was the basis of the success of the medical center. “Bill was such a major force on our board,” said OPC Foundation President William J. Holstein. “We last saw him at a cocktail party for our winners in May, but he declined to take part in an online meeting of the Foundation’s annual finance committee in July, citing medical issues. We never knew how seriously ill he was.” His wife said Bill began complaining of breathing difficulties but he blamed those on back problems that had plagued him for years. So he delayed being examined for possible cancer. When he was finally tested, doctors found a tumor on his right lung and the cancer had spread to his liver and bones. “He didn’t know about it until five weeks before he died,” Elisabeth said. He had a nurse at home who helped drain the fluid from his lung, but he was exhausted. Doctors offered to perform an operation but Bill decided to decline any further procedures. He died while in hospice at a hospital. The Rukeysers had two children, James and Lisa, both in their 50s, and four grandchildren. There will be no funeral. Elisabeth said it was her intention to organize a celebration of Bill’s life in Knoxville and possibly one in New York as well. The OPC Foundation has offered to host such a celebration in New York. Updates and details will be shared here. Posted 1/21/23 |
Dear Princeton Football Family,
We are excited to announce that Jim Blair '61 will be honored as the Princeton recipient at the 2023 Ivy Football Association (IFA) Dinner on Thursday, February 2nd. Jim's lifetime accomplishments, football skills and commitment to Princeton Football have been exceptional, and this honor is well-deserved! To read more about Jim's achievements, click here.
On February 2nd, we will gather at 5:00 p.m. to begin the festivities with a Princeton Football Association reception prior to the dinner. To view details and register for the IFA event, click here.  
IVY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION DINNER
Thursday, February 2nd, 2023
Featuring Chris Berman (Brown '77) and Jack Ford (Yale '72)
The New York Marriott Marquis
(1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 | Broadway Ballroom, 6th floor)
Hotel Room Block: A limited number of rooms are available at the Marriott Marquis. To view the details and reserve your room, click here.
For those who are unfamiliar with the IFA Dinner, please see the videofrom the 2019 celebration as we honored Jason Garrett '89.
Go Tigers!
Steve Simcox '83 P19
PFA President
Posted 1/14/23 |
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 Stephen M. Berger
Dr. Stephen Miles Berger of Columbus, Ohio and Sarasota, Florida passed away peacefully December 7th at the age of 83. He is survived by his adoring wife of 53 years, Yong Suk "Sukie," daughters Lisa, Danielle and Michelle Berger, sons-in-law Peter Lusenhop and Cubie King, grandchildren, Lilinoi, Samuel, Louis, Annabel, Sukie and Leia. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Sarah and Louis Berger.
He loved his days at Central High, where he excelled at science and football, ultimately earning a scholarship to Princeton University, where he took his meals at Dial Lodge. He attended medical school at Columbia University (1961-1965), interned at Albert Einstein Medical Center (1966) and began his residency at the Mayo Clinic (1967) before completing a tour as an Army Physician in South Korea (1969).
In Pusan, he nurtured a love of medicine, service and Sukie, marrying her (1969) at the Joy and Happiness Orphanage, founded and operated by her mother, Bok Ran Han, thus beginning their one-in-a-million love story. The Bergers returned to Philadelphia to complete Steve's residency and fellowship at University of Pennsylvania (1969-1972).
A pioneer of invasive cardiology, he settled in Columbus, Ohio with his young family, ultimately founding Cardiology, Inc where he and his eventual ten partners ran Ohio's largest cardiology practice for 40 years.
But his greatest joy and achievement was the family he and Sukie created and for whom he was the moral compass. The Berger household emphasized education, music, cuisine and a devotion to family. Steve took great pride in his daughters' and grandchildren's educational achievements, musical talents, athleticism and eagerness to be together.
Steve played the piano and guitar, was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and a lifetime collector of jokes, antique fountain pens and traveling inkwells.
He was a foodie who loved to entertain in his home, which he proudly designed and built on the banks of the Olentangy River. He spoke French with a signature raspy voice, loved jazz and the cha-cha, was a news junkie, a hugger and an avid reader.
He was a stylish, opinionated, open and fair-minded, compassionate, kind, generous, honorable and affectionate stinker. In short, Stephen was a real mensch. He knew no enemies and loved countless friends. He was proud of his Jewish heritage and his diversely cultured family.
He received a lifesaving transplant in 2009 and was sustained thereafter by Sukie's constant love and determination.
We will celebrate his life with a service and luncheon at Le Meridien at the Joseph Hotel in Columbus, Ohio beginning at 11am on Saturday, December 17th.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Stephen M. Berger's honor (Class 208) to The Associated Alumnae of Central High School at www.centralhighalumni.com/tribute-gift or by check made payable to
AACH
P.O. Box 26580
Philadelphia, PA 19141
The family also asks that you consider becoming an organ donor: https://www.organdonor.gov/sign-up Posted 12/26/22 |
 Michael E. Harris
Flanders - Michael E. Harris, 82, of Flanders, NJ passed away peacefully on November 9, 2021 at Regency Grande Nursing Home in Dover, NJ. Born on May 30, 1939 in Tanta, Egypt to missionary parents, his father, Eric Harris, a member of the Royal Air Force during WWII, and his mother Rosamund (Sowash) Harris. The family would move to England before settling in the United States in 1949 Michael graduated from Mercersburg Academy in Mercersberg, PA before earning a bachelor's degree from Princeton (where he joined DIal Lodge), and soon there after, a Masters' from Stevens Institute of Technology. Michael worked his enitre career for Verizon (formerly NJ Bell Atlantic) in many different roles, eventually retiring in a Capital Management role He was also a devoted family man. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Carol (Good) Harris; loving daughter, Michelle Pepper and her husband Mark; and by his cherished grandchildren, Nicole and Blake. Michael's Life Celebration and Interment will be held privately by his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the RWJ University Hospital Foundation, PO Box 156, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0156, or to the American Parkinson Foundation, PO Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306. Posted 12/7/22 |
 John S. Stith, Esq.
"Jack" died peacefully at home on November 9, 2022 at 83. He was born in Cincinnati, OH on April 15, 1939 to the late David and Dorothy Stith. Jack and Bette met when her family moved to Cincinnati in the summer of 1955. Jack graduated from Walnut Hills High School in 1957 (cum laude), Princeton University in 1961 (cum laude), and the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1964 where he graduated at the top of his class (summa cum laude). Jack and Bette married in 1961 and spent their 61 year marriage living in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. At Princeton, he ate at Cloister Inn and served as its president. He worked at WPRB and played soccer. His senior roommates were Pinckney Roberts and Peter Frame. He was proud that his 3 children and 2 of his grandchildren followed in his steps by attending Kilgour Elementary School and Walnut Hills High School. Jack was very accomplished in all areas of his life. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1957 as a member of Troop 114, and was a 60+ year member of the Dan Beard Council. He has served on the Council Board of Directors since 1982 and was a Vice President on the Executive committee during the late 1990s. Jack was a founder of the Dan Beard Council Chapter of the National Eagle Scout Association, was the first Chapter Chairman, and has served on the Council Eagle Court of Honor Committee. He received the highest honors in Scouting, including the Silver Beaver award in 1995 and the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award in 2020. Scouting runs in the Stith family, with his son Steve and grandsons Mitch and Nick also earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Jack was highly respected in the legal field, a profession he practiced until the end of his life. He began his career with Frost & Jacobs in 1964. At the age of 65, when most people are retiring, Jack chose to continue his legal career at a second law firm, Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur. Jack's career of more than 60 years in the Cincinnati legal community included advising clients on matters of general business and corporate law; business structure, organization, and governance; securities law; fiduciary responsibilities, indemnification, and insurance coverage of directors and officers; mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions; capital formation, including venture capital; and complex contract issues. He was a leader in both the legal profession and the Cincinnati business community and has had substantial involvement with the nonprofit sector, both as a professional advisor and as a volunteer. Jack was elected and served as President of both the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. As president of the Ohio State Bar Association in 2006-2007, Jack is credited with overseeing that organization's first comprehensive strategic plan and initiating an in-depth review of its Constitution and other governance issues. He has been a key advocate of several measures including entrepreneurial activities that have enabled the OSBA to continue as one of the most effective professional organizations in the United States. Under Jack's leadership as chair of the Board from 2007-2021, Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the OSBA, has generated millions of dollars in dividends paid to its parent company. Jack has been the recipient of numerous awards for professional excellence and community service. He has been a part of numerous civic, church-related, youth-oriented and other charitable activities, including The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Ohio State Bar Foundation, Cincinnati Museum Center, Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America, Cincinnati Arts Festival, Leadership Cincinnati, Stepping Stones Center, Cancer Family Care, and Hyde Park Center for Older Adults. He served as general counsel of the 2012 World Choir Games, a spectacularly successful international choral music festival held in Cincinnati. Jack was also very involved in his church, Knox Presbyterian Church, serving several terms as Elder, and more recently as Clerk and Associate Clerk of the Session. With fishing as a particular passion of his, he was also a co-founder of the Queen City Anglers Guild. In spite of all of his professional and community accomplishments, Jack's proudest accomplishment was his relationships and experiences with family and friends. He was a Scout leader, and coached various soccer and baseball teams of his children. If he wasn't coaching, he was an avid fan in the stands of all of the athletic, musical and other extracurricular events of his children and grandchildren. He recognized the importance of family togetherness and owned homes on Webster Lake and then Norris Lake in order to provide a setting for family members to gather. He also always made beach trips and Thanksgiving gatherings a priority. He and Bette have traveled extensively and have set foot in 48 states and been to nearly 40 countries in North America, Central America, and Europe. Their travels always included family or special friends. Jack was the ultimate optimist. When he was diagnosed in 2019 with bladder cancer, he never once questioned "why me" or felt sorry for himself. He proceeded to research and find himself the best doctors and the best treatment, which enabled him to enjoy 3 ½ more years in spite of an aggressive cancer. Jack carried on with all of his commitments to boards and committees during his illness, all the way up until his last few weeks of life. We have all learned and benefited from his optimistic perspective. A Celebration of Life was held on November 18 at Knox Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Knox Church, the Ohio State Bar Foundation, or the Boy Scouts of America Dan Beard Council. Posted 11/27/22 |
 Olin L. West, III, M.D.
Olie, age 83, died peacefully on October 31, 2022 in Charlottesville, Virginia, at the Hospice of the Piedmont, his wife and two sons by his side. A true, do anything for you friend, Olin was a tower of kindness and support to all who knew him, and a warrior throughout his life, even in the last difficult years of illness and disability. Olin began his remarkable life in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, on August 19, 1939, the eldest of five children born to Olin Leslie West and Bertha Courtney West. Greatly admired as an athlete in his youth, he might have chosen a pro career were it not for a terrible series of patella tendon injuries. At the Haverford School in Philadelphia, where he was given the award of best all-around athlete, he’d lettered in both baseball and basketball, and was later to receive the Maxwell Club Award as the most outstanding football player in the Inter-Academic league. Olin’s strength, speed, and ability to shed blockers and to tackle made him a strong recruit for college football, and though he was offered a full scholarship at both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University Of Delaware, he chose Princeton University.
Unfortunately, after repeated starts on both the football and baseball fields, and repeated surgeries with long recoveries in hip-to-ankle casts, he was clipped from behind while defending an off tackle play and was carried off the field with torn ligaments of the left knee. His season was over. He took his meals at Tiger Inn. It was a win, however, for the field of medicine. Board certified in Psychiatry and Neurology from Columbia University’s College of Physicians & Surgeons, Olin had what it took of course, but it was his natural warmth and empathy that made him the best of shrinks, always going above and beyond for his patients. Early in his career, before opening a private practice, his primary work involved team development in both hospital and community settings. Specializing in group therapies and the creation of Day Hospital Programs (he was part of the highly regarded Day Hospital in the basement of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine), he was elected Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association for his work in the 1970s developing housing options for indigent, mentally ill people in New York City. Olin, or the big O as he was often called, was a powerful and courageous man. One incident that comes to mind took place on an extended family vacation at a dude ranch in Wyoming. The large group was being led by one of the wranglers on a pleasantly ambling trail ride when the horse carrying his younger son got spooked and tore off. Instantly Olin was galloping after them, ahead of the wrangler, just like in a western. Another dramatic rescue occurred when his beloved boxer fell into the middle of the family’s icy pond. Olin miraculously heard her calls and dragged the nearby rowboat onto the ice. Standing in the boat as in a gondola, he used an oar to repeatedly push off the ice to where his dog, too barrel-chested to pull herself out, would have drowned. The strong do what they have to do. And Olin was never cowed by what people thought of him. One time he’d driven one of his boys to an outdoor tennis tournament, and getting out of the car had spilled an entirely full Gatorade onto his lap. Chilly outside, he’d looked for a change of clothes in the club’s ‘lost and found’ and then appeared court-side squeezed into a pair of hot pink yoga pants. A longtime tenor banjo player who loved New Orleans Dixieland, Olin gained professional experience in the 1970s playing in two Greenwich Village jazz bars, Your Father’s Mustache and The Red Garter. He continued to play throughout most of his life, appearing in local venues with the groups the Jazz Rascals and the Shenandoah Swingers. All manner of fishing thrilled him– on a lake, out at sea, in a crystal clear trout stream. He played a formidable game of tennis with a power serve. He loved basketball and action movies, and in another life would have liked to have been an FBI man like his brother. He loved animals, rescuing a dog while in medical school who’d been used for testing and was scheduled to be euthanized. Most of all he loved his family. Olin is survived by his wife of 40 years, Katherine Kane, and their two sons Jonah Kane-West (Sazshy Valentine and granddaughter Sally) and Daniel Kane-West (Britni Sweet); his sister, Rosalind Harper and her children, Scott (Le and children Avery and Bryce) and Courtney McCormick (Scott and children Connor, Rosalind and Margaret); his brothers, Ronald West (Bronwyn) and Courtney West and his children, Hillary Strengholt (Phillip and children Mary West and Reid), Courtney (Cailin and children Margot, Judson and Courtney), and Leslie West Falkoff (Adam). Also surviving him is his nephew, Lee Underwood (Christine and children Kalani and Kaia), son of Olin’s beloved deceased sister Leslie. A private celebration of Olin’s life will be held on December 10, 2022 at Waterperry Farm, his home in Free Union, Virginia. Gifts in Olin’s name may be made to The International Rescue Committee, 375 Greenbrier Drive, Suite 200, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Posted 11/26/22 |
 Michael D. Iseman
Dr. Michael Dee Iseman, 83, of Denver, Colorado, passed away on November 20, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer. Mike was born on March 3, 1939 to Manny & Eileen Iseman in St. Paul, Minnesota. He and his younger sister, Toni, spent their formative years in Fremont, Nebraska, where he met his wife to be, Joan, when they were in junior high (he was the only boy taller than she was). He earned a history degree from Princeton University (where took his meals at Tiger Inn), followed by a medical degree from Columbia Physicians and Surgeons. Mike served two years in the US Navy in Hawaii, after which he settled down in Denver, Colorado to raise his family and practice medicine. Mike was an accomplished athlete and took lifelong joy from sports. He excelled in high school, earning all-state honors in four sports and being named Nebraska high School Athlete of the Year, and later being inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. As an All-American football player, Mike was heavily recruited, including a visit from Army football legend Doc Blanchard and a call from the Governor of Nebraska, telling him it was his “patriotic duty” to play for Nebraska. In the end, he chose Princeton University because the coach’s wife promised to bake him chocolate chip cookies every week (and she did). He starred on the Tiger football team, lettered in track, and won a restaurant’s competitive eating contest by downing nine hamburgers in 10 minutes (after eating full lunches at two dining halls on campus earlier that day). At Columbia he took up rugby, being named to the All-Decade Rugby team and the legendary Old Blue Hall of Fame. In his 40s, he was persuaded to try crew and went on to win a masters world championship with the esteemed Team YOFRA. Even in his 70s, Mike was often spotted pumping iron at the Greenwood Athletic Club. When he wasn’t playing, he was coaching or cheering, helming his sons’ Little League teams and taking them to Chili’s after the game, win or lose. He was a lifelong Denver baseball fan, supporting the Bears and Zephyrs before being a 25-yr season ticket holder of the Rockies. His passion for sport led him to exchange emails with the Rockies’ owner for over 10-years, proposing trades, scouting the farm system and discussing the merits of bunting at Coors Field. But he was more than a jock. Mike served on the faculty for the University of Colorado Medical School and headed up the Tuberculosis program at National Jewish Hospital. Over his career, he traveled to thirty-eight countries, 47 states and wrote the definitive textbook on the subject. His career accolades include being named one of America’s Top Doctors for over a decade, being inducted into the Halls of Fame for the American Thoracic Society and his hospital, National Jewish. But, more important than the accolades, were the patients. He often dealt with the most challenging cases from around the country, people who had exhausted treatment options elsewhere. He prided himself on making patients feel more human and treating them with dignity and empathy. The holidays were marked with cards from countless people thanking Mike for giving them another chance at life. He was also a great husband and father. He married Joan Christensen in 1963 and they went on to have two children, Thomas and Matthew. Whenever he got home from work, he’d play catch with his boys till the sun went down. Mike learned to keep score while attending his sons’ games so he wouldn’t question the ocular ability of the officials. Mike always made clear that his greatest blessing was, without question, Joan. She made their home, raised the boys and nurtured him, and managed their finances. As he said, "I had my medical career, and she did everything else.” 59 years of marriage and she remained his best friend and breakfast buddy (they had a regular table at Perkins!). Mike was blessed by fortunate affiliations and friendships throughout all phases of his life: in Nebraska, where he learned values, foundation, and family; at Princeton, where he made lasting friendships and he was a trustee for the University; in the Navy, where he served out of Pearl Harbor and later in the National Guard in Colorado (where he took great pride in his marksmanship); and at National Jewish, where he cared for patients and helped to build a nationally recognized program in pulmonary medicine. Mike is survived by wife Joan, sister Toni, sons Matt and Tom, daughter-in-law Alexandra and grand-daughter Claire. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Village Club in December, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to National Jewish Hospital. https://donate.nationaljewish.org Posted 11/25/22 |
Retirement gives us the opportunity to engage in things that may have been side interests earlier or are entirely new ones. For John MacMurray, it’s painting. To be specific, watercolors. To be even more specific, portraits of some of Mac’s closest ’61 pals. Here are Don Kornrumpf, Cookie Krongard, Sue and Jim Blair, Stan Baldwin and Bob Craft. posted 11/22/22
 Pierce and Alexis Selwood welcomed Rhode Islander Hank Sykes (right) at their Fullerton, CA, home on November 10th, pictured at left.
They had a great time reminiscing about their last time together at our “Burning Bright” 55th reunion, fellow classmates and family. Pierce and Alexis are very happily situated in their Fullerton community after moving there from the Hollywood Hills back in 2017. A week earlier, Jo and Hank saw roomie Rick and Weezie Johnson for lunch in Newport; and, come February, they expect to see Woody and Cynthia Andrews in Naples, FL. Posted 11/15/22 .jpeg) Blair was Honorary captain on homecoming day at Princeton [on 10/29/22]
Jim Blair wrote to Class Secretary: This was a lot of fun. These guys are huge! I flipped the coin and Princeton won the toss! Then they won the game!
Posted 11/6/22
 Adrien Newens and Jerrold Graber, old roomies and rugby players, recently at Peabody Hotel in Memphis, having stopped there on a Mississippi River cruise.
Posted 10/23/22 A Visit with Scotty Marsh '63, formerly ‘61  Many will remember Scotty, who was with us through midway in sophomore year, when he was asked to withdraw for academic reasons, which he only too cheerfully admits. At the suggestion of Dean Lippincott, he went into the military, specifically the Marine Corps, which, he says, squared him away to the extent of making it possible for him to return to campus to graduate with ’63. He majored in Economics with an eye toward the business world and ate at Tiger.
Scotty had run track as a freshman and was proud of having been on a winning relay with the legendary Dick Edmunds, Jay McCabe and a third guy whose name eludes him. After Princeton Scotty earned an MBA at NYU and went to work on Wall Street. He ended up at Pincus Warburg, where he spent 30 years before retiring and going into money management in Morristown, NJ. He and his wife Betty have two daughters, Ashley ’93, a swimmer, and Carter ’97, an All Ivy lacrosse player. They have homes in Hobe Sound, FL, New Vernon, NJ and Manchester, VT, home also of Lance Odden and George Brakeley (which is how George and Scotty got together for lunch in September 2022). Posted 10/22/22  Frank Wisner sent this photo of his daughter, Sabrina, at 14000 feet on Mount Princeton in Colorado.
More from Sabrina: "My hiking pal Kelly and I were speaking about our dads and the fact they both went to Princeton and wouldn’t it be fun to hike Mt Princeton In their honor. It is not a mountain to be taken lightly! Mt. Princeton is a Class 2/3 14,200 ft mountain in the Collegiate Range near Buena Vista, CO. Spent the night at the trail base on Sept 27 and headed out on Sept 28 at 5:30 am and hit the top around 11:00 and back at trail head around 2! Though not super long, 9 miles round trip, it is certainly the hardest !4k mountain I have done- and we were snowed upon on our descent! I thought it would bring a smile to my dad’s face."
Posted 10/22/22 Old Russia Hands Panel Discussion The Class of 1971 hosted a very well attended and fascinating panel "Putin, Russia, and Ukraine - What's Next?" that featured panelists from the classes of '61, '66, and '71: Peter Pettibone '61 [his segment begins at 11:40]
Jeff Burt '66 Jim Hitch '71 Kathy Molony '71 (moderator) The session was recorded, and the video is available on YouTube with the restricted link below. Please do not share this link with anyone but classmates without the permission of '71. The YouTube link is: https://youtu.be/qA5TCIHYDhg Posted 10/15/22 Did you know that seven of our classmates served in the Peace Corps? Click here to read their stories. Posted 8/28/22  Dear George [Brakeley],
Ruth and I were taking a Seabourn cruise up the coast of Norway with someone who had belonged to the Princeton Club in NYC, when someone at our table said, “I’m Princeton class of 61-engineering,” and it turned out to be Rick Butt. We talked about classmates here and gone and ran into each other the next day when Ruth took this picture. Unfortunately, I came down with Covid — supposedly one of 6 people out of 600 of guests and crew — and so we didn’t get a chance to meet again. He’s in great shape and enjoying himself. Ruth took this pic (I’m the bald wizened little guy). Cheers, George P. Landow ’61 P91 Posted 8/21/22
 On July 21, I gave a talk on US-Russia Relations at the Public Library on Shelter Island as part of the Great Decisions series of the Foreign Policy Association. It was a hybrid event in which over 80 participated in person at the library or on Zoom. Prior to the event, I prepared a background reading list which included
- the article "Can Putin Survive: the lessons of the Soviet Collapse", which is in the current issue of Foreign Affairs (July/August 2022)
- the article by Yale Professor of History Timothy Snyder "The War in Ukraine is a Colonial War" which appeared in a recent issue of The New Yorker
- an article which I wrote with three other lawyers who had spent substantial time in Russia and the Soviet Union entitled "The Number One Priority in Setting a New Course in Putin's Russia" which appeared in the National Interest two years ago
- a YouTube video entitled "A Brief History of Ukraine (and why Putin wants to control it).
Peter Pettibone Posted 8/15/22  George and Tamara Brakeley and Peter and Ellen Boer got together for dinner in Manchester. VT, on July 19 when the Boers were in Vermont making their annual pilgrimage to Ellen's family homestead in nearby Danby. The book George is holding is the Boer's latest travel book, entitled "Grand Tourist 3, A Lifetime of Travel."
From MacMurray to the Class Secretary: Charlie Rippin charmed me into the unlikely role of soldier in Class AG solicitations, from which I have enjoyed the unexpected collateral reward of resurrecting (really founding de novo) of relationships with Classmates . Mo Morris and I have discovered heretofore unknown common interests to our delight (hot rodding Henry Ford's Flathead V-8's, for example —-pre Princeton and still abiding ). But, more impressive to me has been to see the fruit of his career post Princeton . I have been staggered by his Company's manufacture of process plant tanks and heavy equipment, combining the beauty of buffed stainless steel fabrications rendered in arch utilitarian.and exquisitely engineered components, some just barely able to be moved on a 20 Wheeler. And he is still in the saddle.  Perhaps as impressive have been unknown cross connects. When I showed Mo a water color portrait I am doing of my friend, Philippe Petit ( he walked his wire between the Twin Towers in 1974), Mo told me of the awesome achievement of his company having manufactured and put in place all the HVAC equipment in those Towers.
The securing of the contract, the marshaling of plans and time schedules, the logistics of manufacture and installation in fast track construction and timely execution to critical standards is exhausting to think about. Particularly for such as I, whose greatest strain amounted to putting thought to paper, sitting down.  "We sold and ran the contract for all the HVAC equipment—in the pic you can see two equipment floors (there were four)—hundreds of fans and coils. What an experience—had to go up and down the entire two towers on creaky wooden elevators on the outside of the building because the real elevators and most of the outside walls did not exist. Total energy consumption more than the entire city of Syracuse, NY.
Best Mo" Posted 5/20/22
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