Memorials - February 24, 1999


William Freethy Coan '29

Bill died Nov. 4, 1998. He prepared for college at Farmington [N.H.] H.S. and Exeter. At Princeton he was on the debating team and varsity swimming team; he roomed with Larry Garraett. His business career was entirely with New Jersey Bell Telephone, where he was director of manufacture and delivery of directories. In 1969, he retired and was so lucky as to make his lifelong hobby and recreation his fulltime activity. Bill began playing bridge at the age of six, and after his retirement from Bell he played and taught contract bridge and directed bridge programs. He was a life master and member of the American Contract Bridge League. He served on the Rahway, N.J., board of education and was vestryman and treasurer of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Rahway.

In 1935 he married Elizabeth Woodruff, and she survives him, as do their daughters Constance Musa, Alice Larsen, and Margaret Loytty. The class extends sincere sympathy to Bill's family.

The Class of 1929

 

Frank C. Stover '30

Frank C. Stover died Dec. 13, 1998. He had lived in Winnetka, Ill., for 79 years. He came to Princeton from New Trier H.S. and was president of Dial Lodge in his senior year. He also held a bachelor's in architecture, which he earned in 1932 at the U. of Illinois.

In 1938 he married Mary Jane Rich. Frank began working for Sears, Roebuck and Co. in 1933 as the manager of the Sears building for the Chicago World's Fair. He continued to work for Sears until 1973, when he retired as the head of the company's quality control department.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Geoffrey, David, and Nicholas; three daughters, Victoria, Angela Fee, and Julian; and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Jeremy. The class extends its deepest sympathy to all his family.

The Class of 1930

 

Kenneth W. Gemmill '32

A nationally recognized tax lawyer, Ken died Dec. 11, 1998, at his longtime home in Jamison, Pa., after several years of disability resulting from a stroke. Helen, his wife of 57 years, suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage and died in the local hospital 10 minutes before Ken.

After earning his law degree from Pennsylvania Law School, Ken worked in NYC for several years, then became a partner in the Philadelphia firm of Dechert, Price and Rhoads. In 1953 he took a leave of absence to become assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury for tax policy. He was the principal draftsman of the 1954 Internal Revenue Code, which remained virtually intact until 1986.

Ken also was a director of many companies, including American Water Works Co., an active board member of several organizations including the Bucks County Historical Museum, the Heritage Conservancy, the First Presbyterian Church of Germantown, and chairman of the board of Delaware Valley College. His pride and joy was his 400acre, widely acclaimed apple farm in Bucks County, which he bought in 1941.

Of Ken and Helen's four children, only their daughter Elizabeth survives. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. To them all, the class extends profound sympathy in the loss of this outstanding citizen.

The Class of 1932

 

Lewis Ames '34

Lew Ames, it has just been learned, died Nov. 1, 1997. Not long before that, his wife, Gary McKenzie Ames, notified the class, "It is very sad. Lew has Alzheimer's. He still can do his crossword puzzle and loves going out for dinner..."

After spending most of his working years in the financial end of IBM, Lew took early retirement in the late 1960s. The Ameses tried living in St. Croix and Hawaii, but they wound up, in 1972, in Florida, "with fine doctors and medical facilities readily available," in Lew's words. At the time of his death, his address was in Naples.

Surviving, besides his wife, are a son, Robert L., two daughters, Anne Heimbach and Suzanne Remley, and five grandchildren. A second son, Stephen, died in 1972.

The Class of 1934

 

Thomas Chase Homan '34

Tom Homan, a stalwart for the past 23 years of the '34 contingent in Ponte Vedra, Fla. (Bill Cosby, John Searles, and the late John Gurney), died in his sleep Dec. 23, 1998. "Tom was prepared to die," a friend writes, "knowing that his health wouldn't permit an operation on his bladder last spring. He has been tenderly cared for since then by his lovely wife, Eleanor."

For the last two decades Tom served as a director of the Navy League of Mayport, a nearby Naval base, and as an honorary director of the Florida Council on Economic Education. "Conversely," Tom wrote not long ago, "have had to utilize, more and more for the same time period, the services of the nearby Mayo Clinic."

An active Princetonian, interviewing applicants for admission and working for Annual Giving, Tom had a business career in the oil industry. He met Eleanor when she was in charge of the Presidential Fellows and he was with Exxon. They married in 1975.

To Eleanor (Forth) and to Tom's three sons, William, Robert, and Richard, his daughter, Catharine, and grandchildren, we offer our deep sympathies.

The Class of 1934

 

George Henry Rundle '34

George Rundle, who left Princeton after two years to help his ill father in the family business (making proprietary medicines) and, in due time, became head of the firm, died Aug. 6, 1998. He had been a resident of Naples, Fla., since moving there from Piqua, Ohio, in 1969, following a severe heart attack.

At first, he and his wife, the former Jane Hunt, now deceased, ran a small needlecraft shop for five years, and then retired. In their retirement, George wrote, "we have been enjoying the sunshine and leisure with golf and volunteer work. It's a good life!"

George is survived by a son, Allen G., with whom he shared an apartment in Naples; a daughter, Delia R. Vollette; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. To them we offer our sincere sympathies.

The Class of 1934

 

John S. Booth '37

Leader in the field of pigment technology, holder of two patents, and founder of companies, Stu Booth died Aug. 21, 1998. He had married Frances in 1938; later he married Candide, who survives him. He also left daughters Eleanor, Beverley, and Cynthia, sons Stuart, Michael, and Jonathon, 15 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. His hobby? "Raising kids."

At Franklin and Marshall Academy Stu was a member of the Glee Club, played baseball, soccer, and tennis, and participated in dramatics. At Princeton he was manager of the news agency and of Court Club.

After sampling the N.Y. Times circulation department he was a plant superintendent for R.B.H. Dispersions in Bound Brook, N.J. He founded the pigment factory Kroma Chemical Co. in Raritan, N.J., which burned down in 1948 and was flooded by the Raritan River. Then he founded the Standard Ultramarine & Color Co. in Newark. In 1966 he was manager of the pigment department of the Carbic Color Division of American Hoechst Corp. in Mountainside, N.J. In 1970 he cofounded Synergistic Pigments and in 1983 Foaminc Co., producing a water-based ink that converts to firefighting foam. In 1984 he founded Roma Color in Fall River, Mass., serving as its president until he retired in 1992. He suffered strokes in 1992 and 1994.

The Class of 1937

 

Fred G. Stickel III '37

Distinguished municipal lawyer Fred Stickel died Dec. 10, 1998, survived by son Fred IV, daughters Virginia, Jane, Elizabeth, and Kathryn, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

At Lawrenceville, Fred was active in four sports and on the yearbook board and history club. He majored in politics at Princeton, graduating with high honors. He continued his swimming career at Princeton (and thereafter) and joined Key and Seal. In our 50th yearbook he noted that he had been school board attorney for Cedar Grove for 40 years, and attorney for Cedar Grove for 15 years, Roseland for 20 years, and Verona for five years. He also was special attorney at least 60 other municipalities.

His distinguished service awards are too numerous to mention, including those from various governors and the New Jersey Senate and Assembly. He was secretary of the governor's commission to revise the municipal law in 1959 and served on various government municipal law commissions. He was also active in class affairs, having been v.p., on the executive committee, chairman of the 15th-reunion wives and children committee, and cochairman of the 50th reunion. He gave his collection of tigers to Princeton in 1997.

The Class of 1937

 

William W. Lord Reed '38

Bill Reed died of pneumonia at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center on Dec. 17, 1998, his 82nd birthday. Bill prepared at Choate School, where he was on the soccer and wrestling teams and the school paper board. At Princeton he majored in politics, earned his letter on the varsity soccer and wrestling teams, and was a member of Cap and Gown Club and Theatre Intime.

During WWII, Bill served in the Army and was discharged as a captain. Thereafter, settling in Baltimore, he worked as an investment banker until the early 1960s, when he became president of the William H. Whiting Co., a marine and industrial supply business. He retired in the late 1980s, enjoyed sailing and hunting, and was president of the first board of directors at St. Paul's School for Girls. Bill's first wife, Barbara, died in 1981; his second wife, Margaret, died in 1997. He is survived by a daughter, Barbara Reed Vilar, a brother, John D., and six grandchildren, to all of whom the class extends its deep sympathy.

The Class of 1938

 

John Collins Early '40

Following a prolonged illness, John Early died Dec. 4, 1998, at Norwalk [Conn.] Hospital. Several classmates attended his memorial service. John prepared at Hotchkiss and graduated with honors in politics. He was captain of the skeet shooting team, on the Daily Princetonian board, and a member of Charter Club. During WWII, he served in Europe as an artillery officer and won the Bronze Star. He later earned a law degree from Harvard and became a partner of the NYC firm McCanliss and Early.

John was an enthusiastic and dedicated Princetonian and classmate. He was treasurer of our 10th reunion, class president (1955-60), and on our class council, where his advice and suggestions were greatly valued. He was also vestryman of his church and a Kent Place School trustee. John is survived by three daughters and seven grandchildren. We forward them our deep sympathy on the loss of this devoted father and Princetonian.

Perhaps John himself best expressed his own sturdy spirit in his 50th Year Report: "'So live, that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan...thou go not, like the quarry slave at night, scourged to the dungeon, but sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust.' -- W.C. Bryant. Beat Yale." Farewell, old friend. '40 will miss you and not forget you.

The Class of 1940

 

Chaloner P. Spencer '44

Chaloner Spencer died July 26, 1998, after a long bout with emphysema. He was 74. A native of Brattleboro, Vt., he began music studies with Roger Sessions while at Princeton H.S. Later at Princeton, he majored in music and belonged to Court Club. Spence left Princeton in 1943, entered the Air Corps, became a Chinese interpreter for the Chinese Training Command, and returned to Princeton for his AB in 1947. He then went to the U. of California on a teaching fellowship and earned his master's in music.

Settling in Conway, Mass., Spence taught high school English, joined Wesleyan U.'s music department, directed admissions at Hartt College of Music, and in 1961 joined the faculty of Hartford College for Women. He retired in 1990. Among his many outside interests, music was most prominent. He composed music, for many years wrote program notes for the Pioneer Valley Symphony, and served on its board. A creative cook, Spence, with his wife, owned and operated a successful specialty catering business for 23 years.

To his wife, Helen; his son, Anthony; his daughter, Elizabeth Forkel; his brother, Gordon; his stepfather, two grandchildren, and niece the class extends its sympathy.

The Class of 1944

 

Richard Maynard Strohm '49

Richard Strohm died Nov. 29, 1996. Dick prepared at Exeter. He left Princeton to enter West Point, from which he graduated in 1950, then served with the First Engineer Combat Battalion in Europe. He later was treasurer of the West Point Society of New Jersey.

Dick earned a master's from the Harvard Business School. He was an engineer for the U.S. government for 12 years, serving in Germany. He later joined the Natl. Lead Co. in Perth Amboy, N.J., as a project engineer, and then became a v.p. for Airco in Murray Hill, N.J. Subsequently he became an industrial engineer with the Army Electronics Command in Ft. Monmouth, N.J. Throughout his life he was an avid tennis player.

Richard is survived by his wife, Mary, and three daughters, Catherine McRae, Susan, and Julia. To each of them we extend our sincere sympathies.

The Class of 1949

 

Charles Morse Thom '49

Charlie Thom died Dec. 1, 1995, at his home in Scarsdale, N.Y.

He prepared at the Hill School. At Princeton he earned an AB in English and was a member of Key and Seal Club. Upon graduation he served in the Army in San Antonio. Charlie then became a primary school master in New York; he later earned a master's in English and philosophy from Columbia in 1962 and his doctorate in philosophy in 1968. He retired from teaching in 1969 to devote his time to his private investment fund.

Charlie never married, and there do not seem to be any surviving relatives. He was a generous benefactor to the Hill School, both in the music area and via his library of medieval to 18th-century British and French literature which he donated as a gift. We extend our sincere condolences to those who knew him well.

The Class of 1949

 

Donald G. McLean '51

Don died May 7, 1998, of cancer. He was a former editor of the old Philadelphia Evening Bulletin and a conservationist. He joined the paper in 1953 as a reporter and later was editor of the editorial page. He retired in 1975. He was also a director. Don's grandfather, William, bought the Bulletin in 1905 and, by the 1940s, its circulation of over 700,000 was the country's largest of any afternoon daily. Don's father was chairman and publisher.

After he retired from the Bulletin, Don wrote and published an environmental newsletter, retired in 1979, and in 1985 was chairman of the Santa Barbara (Calif.) News Press.

Don prepared at Exeter. In college, he majored in history, was on the business board of the Prince, and joined Colonial Club. He roomed with Tom Wright, Jim Wallis, and Rollo White. He was in the Navy during the Korean War. At his service, Ben Pepper and Jim Wallis were among his ushers.

Don was an avid Tiger and, in the words of a classmate who knew him forever, "a very nice guy." Indeed he was. He is survived by Mona, his wife of 33 years, son Robert 2nd, daughters Elizabeth and Clare, two stepsons, two stepdaughters, and 15 grandchildren. The class mourns Don's death and sends his family its sympathy.

The Class of 1951

 

Saul Post '53

With sorrow we report that Saul Post died Sept. 29, 1998, at White Plains [N.Y.] Hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Saul was born in NYC and graduated from Horace Mann School. Upon entering Princeton he roomed for a while with Al Zuckerman and ran cross country. He joined Terrace Club, was manager of the Photo Service Agency, and was a photographer for the Daily Princetonian and the Bric-a-Brac. He majored in economics and was a member of the Hillel Cabinet.

Shortly after graduation, Saul joined the family sporting goods business, Post Manufacturing Co., Inc., in NYC. He had two marriages that ended in divorce, and his third wife, the former Sylvia McLoon, died eight years ago. His hobbies were travel, photography, and music. Al Zuckerman recalls that Saul was an active investor in the stock market and later became a leading supplier of diving equipment. Saul lived in NYC for most of his life before moving to White Plains in 1996. To his survivors, son David Pestronk, daughter Maxine Pestronk, and sister Phyllis Green, we extend sincere condolences on the loss of our friend.

The Class of 1953

 

Charles Samuel Trump III '55

Sam Trump died Sept. 9, 1998, at his home in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., after a long battle with cancer.

Sam came to Princeton from Mercersburg Academy, where he was active in dramatics, debating, journalism, and student government. At Princeton, he majored in the classics, joined Cannon Club, and participated in Theatre Intime and on WPRU as a newscaster. His roommates included Hilary Lipsitz, the late Hayes Walker, and Dick and Jack Wilson. Sam, who was noted for keeping exceptionally late hours, was a much beloved classmate who, at graduation, was voted both the "most entertaining" and "most original" member of the class.

After graduation, Sam earned an LLB at American U. and married Mary Lou Loftus. He joined his father's law firm in 1960 and practiced in Berkeley Springs until 1985. He served as mayor of Bath (Berkeley Springs) during the 1960s and as prosecuting attorney for Morgan County during the 1970s. He was a director and general counsel for Citizens Natl. Bank and a member of the County Economics Development Corp. Sam was well known in the western Potomac Valley for his daily noontime broadcast of news and commentary on WCST.

The class extends its deep sympathy to Mary Lou; their children, Charles S. IV '82, Conrad, and Kirsten; and their five grandchildren.

The Class of 1955

 

William Joseph Mathews Jr. '56

Bill Mathews died Sept. 4, 1998, of cancer, at his home in Middletown, N.J. Bill prepared at Newark Academy, joined Dial Lodge, and majored in economics. He managed the freshman tennis team and was on the staffs of the Tiger and the BricaBrac.

Bill entered the broadcasting business following graduation. He worked for ABC, Metromedia, and held sales positions with radio stations in the NYC area. He was also associated with Penton Publishing in NYC and recently was a sales consultant. A member of Sea Bright Lawn and Tennis Club and Sea Bright Beach Club, he served on the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church in Middletown.

Liz and Dick Ellwood '53, close friends of Bill and his wife, Cynthia, wrote to her soon after his death: "We believe Bill believed his greatest assets were his friends. He had a lot of them, and he cared about us all....Since Apr. 1997, the courage he showed us was almost beyond belief. Then there was the charm, the grace, the constant good humor. What an example he set for all of us on how to go out." In addition to Cynthia, Bill is survived by a son, William; a daughter, Barbara Hamblatt; a stepson, Edward Armstrong; and a stepdaughter, Jane Armstrong. The class extends its deep sympathy to all of them on their loss.

The Class of 1956

 

Charles Edward Arrowsmith Muldaur Jr. '56

Charlie Muldaur died Sept. 14, 1998, at his home in Eldred, N.Y. His father, Charles E. A. Sr. '31, uncle George B. '18, and cousin John S. Baker '46 also attended Princeton.

Charlie left Princeton in 1954 to help launch Sports Illustrated, and he contributed his energy and talents to numerous organizations and causes. He even ran a jeans business in Mexico. As a youngster, Charlie loved music, from classical to jazz and pop. Not surprisingly, in later years, he established and was the owner of Masters of Music, publishing and distributing music of many types. In the past 15 years Charlie reconnected with the class, cherishing his renewed ties with Princeton. He was our master of music at many reunions, Prades, and the Spirit of '56 concert -- arranging for wonderful music to grace our gatherings. Charlie did all this in spite of suffering from several serious diseases. His memorial service was held Sept. 18, 1998, exactly 65 years after his birth, and it became a sort of birthday party for a classmate who will be remembered whenever '56 gathers and enjoys music.

Charlie is survived by his children, Charles E. A. III, Raymond B., Christopher D., Mollie F. Hulick, Mary P., and Sheila M., his brother Geoffrey, sister Diane MuldaurDozier, and four grandsons. The class offers all of them its deep sympathy.

The Class of 1956

Richard C. Brown '57

Richard Charles "Dick" Brown died Aug. 3, 1998. Dick did not choose to keep in touch with Princeton after graduation, so we know little. At Princeton Dick joined Quadrangle Club.

He majored in the Woodrow Wilson School. His senior year roommates were John Stennis, John Martinson, and David Hinchman.

As an undergraduate, Dick was active in Whig-Clio and was chairman of the Princeton Speakers Bureau. We understand he attended U. of Dayton [Ohio] Law School.

The Class of 1957

 

Mark Zamkov '74

Mark Zamkov, loving family man and loyal friend, lost a 15-year battle with cancer Aug. 31, 1998.

Zam arrived in New Haven from Poland in 1963, speaking no English. He earned admission to Princeton, where he gained the respect and friendship of many. Elected an undergraduate U-Store trustee and an officer of Colonial Club, Zam also taught Sunday Hebrew School. He joined Princeton's reconstituted ROTC unit, saying he owed his adopted country. Zam graduated magna cum laude in politics and obtained a master's from Southern Connecticut State College.

An exemplar of "Princeton in the Nation's Service," Zam served as an Army officer at the Korean DMZ, retiring as a major in the Reserves in Jan. 1998. A State Dept. foreign service officer since 1980, Zam served four tours in Africa, as well as at the State and Defense Departments.

He battled his illness and faced his impending death with a courage and grace both awe-inspiring and humbling. America now embraces Zam eternally at Quantico Military Cemetery.

To his wife, Eileen, their sons, of whom he was enormously proud, Samuel, Nathan, and David, and to his parents, sister, and extended family, the class extends its deepest sympathies.

The Class of 1974

 

Richard E. Austin Jr. '84

Rich Austin died Aug. 20, 1998, at the home of his brother Ron in San Francisco. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1989 and completed surgical residency at U. of San Francisco in 1995 and a thoracic surgery fellowship at U. of Washington in June 1998. He had accepted a position at the Arizona Heart Institute that would have allowed him to both practice surgery and pursue his research interests.

At Princeton, Rich played lightweight football, was a member of Cottage Club, and impressed all he met with his brilliance, versatility, curiosity, and overwhelming energy. While pursuing his extraordinarily rigorous medical specialty, he somehow found time to patent a heart valve design, work on computer modeling of coronary blood flow and artificial intelligence, serve as medical adviser to biotechnology companies, and start his own businesses. One of his Princeton friends remembers him as "most likely to call out of the blue with an interesting idea." Others recall his insatiable thirst for knowledge and quick wit.

The class extends its deepest sympathy to Rich's mother, Rosemary, brothers Ron and Tony, and sisters Cyndie Cota and Robin Weerts.

The Class of 1984


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