David Churchman Trimble '24
The Rev. Canon David C. Trimble died Oct. 14, 1998, in Boonsboro, Md. He was 96. David prepared at the Gilman School in Baltimore and, after Princeton, graduated in 1930 from the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va. He served in the ministry of the Episcopal Church for 52 years in Oakland, Md. (St. Matthew's Parish), Glyndon, Md. (St. John's Parish), Prescott, Ariz. (St. Luke's Parish), and Sharpsburg and Lappans, Md. (St. Mark's). Following retirement, he assisted on the staff at St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown, Md. He held the rank of captain, chaplain in the Maryland State Guard from 1941-43.
David enjoyed gardening, woodworking, and writing, and he contributed to secular and religious journals. He published three books on church history and a book on Christian ethics. He formerly edited the Arizona Church Record and the Maryland Church News.
He is survived by his wife, Anne G., two daughters, one son, and seven grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Sharpsburg, Md., St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Lappans, Md., and St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown, Md.
The Class of 1924
Charles Pool Van Gelder '29
VanVan died May 21, 1997. He prepared at Tower Hills Friends School. At Princeton he was in the band, orchestra, and crew and belonged to Arbor Inn. Sherry Steadman was his roommate. Van left Princeton during our junior year and earned a BS in chemical engineering from MIT in 1931.
His work as chemical engineer began with du Pont and continued with Socony-Vacuum. He became more and more interested in photography and opened the Camera Corner in Moorestown, N.J., which he and his wife, Katharine Fletchall, ran for many years before moving in 1993 to Brunswick, Maine. Van was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown and a member of numerous engineering societies. He is survived by his widow and two daughters, Mary Louise Seldenfleur and Elizabeth K. The class extends sincere sympathy to Van's family.
The Class of 1929
Douglas Edwin Ward '35
After a valiant five-year fight against lung cancer, Doug died Oct. 6, 1998, at home. At Princeton he majored in economics. After graduation, he joined the Newark News.
During WWII, Doug volunteered for the Navy, becoming a lieutenant (j.g.). He served on a tug and was in the Normandy invasion. After the war, he joined Ciba Pharmaceuticals of Summit, N.J., becoming director of marketing research. He retired to Normandy Beach, N.J., in 1981, wintering in Stuart, Fla.
An active member of the class, Doug was chairman of three major reunions, including the great 25th. He also was president for five years and secretary for 15. He volunteered for many other class activities. Doug was an eager surf fisherman, hauling in some big ones. He played tennis and bridge and was active in church, school, and community affairs. Doug loved Princeton and especially enjoyed football and basketball. He saw the first football game in the new stadium.
Doug married Mary Fenrick on Oct. 19, 1940, his 27th birthday--what a present! His brothers, Ernest '29 and John '37, predeceased him. Doug leaves his wife, Mary, daughters Mary, Jane, and Virginia, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. To Mary and the family, the class extends its deepest sympathy.
The Class of 1935
Phil Porter '37
Noted Dallas petroleum geologist and engineer, Phil Porter died Oct. 1, 1998, after a long illness. His wife, Doris, died Oct. 14, 1998. Sons Steve and Bob, daughter Sue, and grandson Phil David survive.
At Tulsa [Okla.] H.S., Phil was on the track team, president of the Glee Club, a member of the Honor Society, and active in student government. He majored in chemistry at Princeton, where he was on the freshman crew and a member of Theatre Intime, the Glee Club, and Charter Club. He took a BS in geology at Oklahoma U. before becoming a consultant in oil and gas evaluation with DeGolyer & MacNaughton in Dallas.
He was discharged as a lieutenant (s.g.) in the Navy, having served with the Office of Procurement and Materiel and on the Army-Navy Munitions Board in Washington. He went back to DeGolyer & MacNaughton, rising to president of their foreign subsidiary. By 1979 he had his own office as petroleum consultant. His work as petroleum geologist spanned six decades all over the world; he retired in 1994.
Phil was active in many societies, and his community work included substitute teaching science and math in Dallas public schools. His 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 1990 included five of the six bridesmaids.
The Class of 1937
Arthur L. Scott '37
Ardent Princetonian, teacher, singer, world traveler, and Mark Twain expert, Art Scott died Sept. 26, 1998, after suffering from multi-infarct dementia for several years. He left his wife of almost 58 years, Frances, daughters Patricia and Elizabeth, son Larry '66, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He was the son of George '03 and the brother of Dave '38.
At Gunnery School, Art played football, was captain of tennis, and took part in the dramatic society, Glee Club, and publications. At Princeton he majored in history and belonged to the Glee Club, choir, Theatre Intime, and Tower Club.
Art taught in the Alborz College in Teheran, Persia, before a stint in the Navy as a lieutenant (j.g.) assigned to sound and radar. He earned a PhD from Michigan in 1948. He taught literature at the U. of Illinois until 1970 and then divided his time between Jackson, Wyo., and St. George, Utah.
He was on the '37 executive committee and was local Annual Giving agent; he did volunteer work for his church, Kiwanis, and a senior center.
At one point he wrote to PAW that he was delighted to have coeds grace our beautiful campus, saying, "[he was] one middle-aged grad...still proud of Princeton and extremely hopeful for her future."
The Class of 1937
William Charles Eberhardt '39
Bill died June 14, 1998, at Mainstay, his home in Trevett, Maine, where he and Lorraine, his wife of 34 years, had been glad to settle down at last after his peripatetic career as hotel manager of vacation resorts throughout the Caribbean and Canada. This was a second career for Bill. His first was as v.p. of Gould & Eberhardt, Inc., manufacturers of machine tools. When the plant was sold in 1959, Bill embarked on his new career, a calling which also allowed him to indulge in two favorite hobbies, fishing and honing his skill as a ham radio operator, keeping in touch with friends and classmates around the world.
Bill and Lorraine were married in 1964 in the Princeton Chapel. Bill's two children from his first marriage, William C. Jr. and Joan (Mrs. James) Hensley, survive, as do his stepsons Dale and David Thornton. Like Lorraine and all his family, we remember with respect his resolute high spirits in the face of physical problems in recent years. We join with them in giving thanks for the life he shared with us.
The Class of 1939
Richard G. Ashworth '47
Richard G. "Ace" Ashworth died June 24, 1998, of cancer, at his home in NYC.
Ace prepared at Taft School. He entered Princeton in July 1943 and earned his degree in political science in June 1946. In 1949, he earned an LLB from Yale Law School.
For 43 years he was associated with the law firm of Haight, Gardner, Poor and Havens, where he became a senior partner specializing in ship-collision litigation.
Throughout his life, Ace was involved in public service and particularly devoted to Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. For 25 years, he was president of the NYC chapter, having realized that homosexuality was a natural sexual orientation. He fought discrimination against lesbians and gays. After retiring, Ace was a volunteer English teacher at the Fashion Institute of Technology and a friendly visitor at St. Vincent's Hospital.
The class extends its deepest sympathy to his wife of 46 years, Amy; his mother, Leonore; his son Everard and daughter-in-law Brooke; his sister Joan Nichols; and his two grandchildren. Ace's sons Tucker and Eric predeceased him.
The Class of 1947
Irving L. Bindelglass '47
After a long illness, Irv died Mar. 2, 1998. He was born and raised in Passaic, N.J., and graduated from Passaic H.S.
Irv came to Princeton by way of the Navy V-12 Program and earned his degree in June 1949, majoring in biology. After leaving Princeton, Irv attended the Long Island College of Medicine, where he completed his internship and residency.
He served in the Air Force Medical Corps during the Korean War. Since 1956, Irv was in private practice in Elizabeth, N.J., specializing in internal medicine. Upon retirement, he served as medical director and board trustee of the Elizabeth Medical Center until 1997. Outside of work and family, he and his wife, Connie, who predeceased him in May 1992, traveled extensively and went to a great deal of theater.
Irv thoroughly enjoyed his Princeton experience and was particularly motivated, intellectually, by Buzzer Hall, Willard Thorpe, Carlos Baker, and the Humanities Civilization Program.
The class extends its deepest sympathy to his daughter Susan Siegal, his son Richard J. '78, and his three grandchildren.
The Class of 1947
Nathaniel F. Rodman Jr. '47
Nat Rodman died July 8, 1998, after a long illness, in Morgantown, W.Va.
He was born, raised, and went to high school in Norfolk, Va. After completing high school, Nat entered the V-12 program at MIT and transferred to Princeton, graduating with honors.
He graduated from Pennsylvania's School of Medicine in 1951 and interned at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia. In 1952, he attended the U. of North Carolina to start training in pathology. From 1953-56, he served in the Navy during the Korean conflict.
Upon completion of residency, he joined the U. of Iowa, where he became professor of pathology. In 1974, Nat moved to the medical school of WVU, where he served as professor and chairman of the department of pathology until 1989. He was well known for his love of teaching research. In Nat's honor a fully endowed fellowship in the pathology department has been established to provide scholarship for research.
Nat was a founding member of St. Thomas A. Becket Episcopal Church of Morgantown. The class extends its deepest sympathy to his wife, Dr. Jeanne A., children Mary H., Nathaniel F. II, William S., and Anne B., and sisters Elizabeth Rodman Jones and Patricia Rodman King.
The Class of 1947
Robert Reynold Braeder '48
Bob Braeder died Oct. 7, 1998, after a long struggle with declining health. The most loyal of classmates, Bob had hoped to be with us at our 50th until the last moment. He had run our 42nd. The spirit was willing, but the body just couldn't manage the trip from Jupiter, Fla., where he died.
A native of East Orange, N.J., Bob prepared at Pingry School. He entered Princeton in June 1944 and graduated in June 1949, majoring in economics. He belonged to Charter. His undergraduate years were interrupted by Naval service.
After graduation, Bob joined DeLuxe Check Printers. His entire professional career was with DeLuxe until retirement in 1989. He began as a salesman and grew with the company, taking positions of increased responsibility. Following retirement, Bob volunteered as a public relations consultant for NJ Public Television. He was active in the Palm Beach Council of the Navy League.
Bob and Janice were married in 1950 and lived in Upper Montclair until moving to Jupiter in 1991. Bob was a devoted Princetonian who attended class functions regularly and was instrumental in organizing our Annual Giving regional representation. He was an avid sports fan and had played golf and tennis some years ago.
To Janice and daughters Karen and Linda, the class extends its deepest sympathy and shares in the loss of a dear friend.
The Class of 1948
Charles Angelo Reichold '48
Charlie Reichold died Oct. 12, 1998, at the Berkeley Heights Convalescent Center. He was a resident of New Providence, N.J., at the time of his death.
A native of St. Louis, Charlie graduated from Southwest H.S. in 1941. He joined the Navy in 1942, serving until 1946. At Princeton he was active in the band and intramural sports; he majored in economics. He married Anne Lisa in 1947.
Charlie's career was primarily in personnel administration and finances. He started his working life with Shulton and then moved on to Conmar Products (zipper manufacturers). He also was employed by Anheuser Busch and Monsanto along the way. Charlie spent the final 20 years of his working life as director of financial services at the U. of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He retired in 1987. Charlie enjoyed outdoor activities and winter months at Ponce Inlet, Fla.
To his widow, Anne, and sons, Charles and Craig, the class extends its deepest sympathy.
The Class of 1948
Stuart Major Sperry '51
Stu died Sept. 25, 1998, in London from prostate cancer. He was emeritus professor of English literature at Indiana U. and divided many years between Bloomington and London. He was an important figure in the revival of scholarly and popular interest in the British Romantic period (1780-1830). He published critical studies of Keats and Shelley. In 1973, PU Press published Keats the Poet, and Shelley's Major Verse was published by Harvard U. Press in 1988.
Also in 1988, Stu received the Distinguished Scholar Award of the Keats-Shelley Assn. of America. His Wordsworth essay in 1970 was selected for first prize in a national competition on the former Poet Laureate's bicentennial. Before his death, Stu was working on a study of the American poet Wallace Stevens.
Between college and graduate school--Harvard--he served in the Army in Korea. He was wounded in action and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star medal with a "V."
Stu prepped at The Hill School. At Princeton, he majored in English, graduated summa cum laude, and was a member of Terrace and ROTC. He roomed with Jim Sage and Walter Ruch.
He is survived by his wife, Sophie, and his sister Suzanne. We have lost a major preserver of English literature.
The Class of 1951
Ezra Lovell Bixby '52
Ezra Bixby died Jan. 26, 1998, at the Princeton Medical Center of complications resulting from surgery. His memorial service was held at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Pennington, N.J.
A Navy veteran when he entered Princeton, Bix went through life full bore. He served on the Undergraduate Council and the Committee of 50, belonged to Tower Club, and was stage manager for Triangle Club and v.p. of Theatre Intime. His sophomore roommate and longtime friend was Don McDonough. Ezra married Lucy Dee Chivers in Sept. 1950.
After graduation, Bix went to Naval OCS and continued one of his major life interests. Recalled to active duty in 1961, he commanded a destroyer division; he retired from the USNR as captain in 1983. Simultaneously, Bix was rising through the Goodall Rubber Co., from which he retired in 1983 as v.p., marketing and sales.
Bix was perhaps most respected for his public service in Pennington. His tenure of nearly 24 years on the Pennington Common Council was a record, and he was the driving force in the Stoney Brook Regional Sewerage Authority. Ezra was chairman of its board for most of the time after its formation in 1971.
Bix is survived by his widow, Betty, children Ann, John, and Courtney, and grandchild, Julian. We offer them our profound condolences.
The Class of 1952
Linton Daniel Baggs III '56
Linton Baggs died Jan. 30, 1998, at his home in North Miami, Fla.
A native of Macon, Ga., he graduated from Choate and entered Princeton with '55, but became a member of the Class of '56. He graduated from Mercer U. in Macon.
Linton was the owner of the Office Furniture Center of North Miami and a member of the Rotary Club of North Miami and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Herbert McKenzie, two nieces, one nephew, a great-niece, and a great-nephew. We offer to each of them our sincere sympathy.
The Class of 1956
Zenro Osawa '57
Zenro Osawa died Oct. 10, 1998, of stomach cancer at his home in Tokyo.
After graduating from high school in Japan and spending two years at Lawrenceville polishing his English, Zenro joined the class in our freshman year. His father had done the same before joining his Princeton class. He joined Key and Seal, majored in history, joined Glee Club and was a chapel deacon. His senior roommates were P. Blue, S. Pertz, and H. Roegner.
After graduation, Zenro traveled in Europe before returning to Japan and in 1966 assumed the presidency of J. Osawa and Co., the family trading firm, founded in 1902. As Japanese department stores began to establish their own buying offices overseas, the pattern of importing changed, and the company was forced to declare bankruptcy. As part of the restructuring process, Zenro left the company to set up his own firm specializing in importing fine-quality loudspeakers. Zenro was a lifelong lover of music, particularly the music of Richard Strauss which he came to know during his European travels.
Although Zenro lived in Tokyo most of his life, he always insisted that he was really from Kyoto, the ancient capital. He had the easy, polished manners of an aristocrat and was a true gentleman.
Zenro leaves behind Mariko, his wife of 34 years, a daughter, and a son, to whom the class extends its sympathy.
The Class of 1957