Memorials - October 6, 1999
Donald Agnew '28
Donald Agnew died at his home on Jupiter Island in Hobe Sound, Fla., on Mar. 10, 1999. After Princeton he attended Harvard Law School, receiving his degree in 1931. On graduation, he joined the firm of Wichen, Middell in Manhattan, became a partner, and remained with the firm until he retired, except for time in the Navy. His naval career, from 1941-45, took him to various stations in the Solomon Islands and the continental U.S. He received two commendation ribbons and retired with the rank of lt. com. In 1947 he married Rebecca Tenney, daughter of a Princeton alumnus.
After he retired from his law firm, Don became a limited partner in Fahnestock & Company. He moved to Florida in 1967. He was a member of the Union Club of NYC, and of the Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley. He is survived by his wife and by eight nieces and nephews. The deepest sympathy of the class goes to his wife and young relatives.
The Class of 1928
Oliver H. E. Gasch '28
Oliver Gasch died July 6, 1999, in Washington, D.C., after heart surgery. He was appointed judge of the U.S. District Court by Pres. Lyndon Johnson in 1965, serving 16 years and then after semi-retirement serving 14 more years as a senior judge. The Washington Post mentions dozens of his high-profile cases and says in part " . . . his decisions cut a broad swath across the workings of the city, its businesses and citizens, and affected the day-to-day operations of the federal government . . . Gasch was known in legal circles for his long working hours and prolific but concise judicial decisions . . . "
Oliver earned his law degree from George Washington U., attending classes at night. In 1937 he was named to the D.C. Corporation Counsel's office. After serving with the rank of lt. col. in the Army during WWII, he was appointed principal assistant U.S. attorney for the District, and later as the U.S. attorney from 1956-61. In private practice before his judicial appointment in 1965, he served as president of the D.C. Bar Assn. Oliver was chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese in D.C., and a vestryman at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, where his memorial service was held. He was a director of the Landon School for Boys, president of the Reserve officers Assn. of D.C., and a member of the Military Order of the Caribou, the Chevy Chase Club, and University Club. In 1942 he married Sylvia Meyer, who became principal harpist in the National Symphony Orchestra. They have one son, Michael. The class extends deepest sympathy to them both.
The Class of 1928
William Lincoln Seibert '28
William Seibert died July 8, 1999, in Charlottesville, Va. After graduating from Princeton, he earned a law degree from Fordham U. Law School, and joined the firm of Seibert & Miggs in NYC, ultimately becoming senior partner.
Bill married Katherine Brown in 1932; they had two children, Marcia and Harrison. He married his second wife, Marjorie Fell Racey in 1945; they had a son, William Hill Seibert II.
Bill was a member of Company K, 7th Regiment National Guard, in NYC, and served on the board of governors of the St. Andrew's Gold Club and was its past president. He was also past president of the U.S. Men's Curling Assn. and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. The class extends its deepest sympathy to Bill's children and grandchildren.
The Class of 1928
Daniel O'Day '29
Dan died Apr. 30, 1999. He prepared for college at Taft. At Princeton he was a freshman wrestler, manager of football, and on the board of athletic control. He was a member of Ivy Club, and his roommates were Duke Gray, Jim Carey, Inky Boyd, and Bill Healey. He was an ardent tennis and squash player well into his 80s.
Dan's business career was in the field of municipal bonds, and he retired as senior v.p. of the Northern Trust Co. His mother, a close friend and ally of Eleanor Roosevelt, served four terms as a representative-at-large for New York State in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dan was an active member of Christ's Church in Rye, N.Y., and was involved in many civic activities there. He was a valiant AG agent for the class. During WWII, he was a major in the Air Force and earned a Bronze Star and 13 Battle Stars. In 1937 he married Ida Sadler of Atlanta.
He is survived by a son, Daniel Jr. '63. The class extends its sincere sympathy to Dan's family.
The Class of 1929
George M. Buckingham Jr. '32
George Buckingham died June 13, 1999, on Nantucket Island. He had prepared for college at South Kent School. He entered Princeton with our class, but by Christmas, he was compelled for financial reasons to withdraw.
On leaving Princeton, he worked for Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey and subsequently with its corporate successors for over 41 years. He retired July 1, 1970, having been, for the last 10 years of his career, executive secretary of the corporate contributions committee and executive director of the Esso Education Foundation.
On June 23, 1934, George and Eleanor Tipper were married, and in June 1972 they moved from Weston, Conn., to Siasconset on Nantucket. George became a major part of the community and was elected a selectman in 1977.
The class sends its deep sympathy to George's daughter, Carolyn, and two granddaughters, Kristin Gamber and Amy Hile.
The Class of 1932
E. Calvert Cheston '32
E. Calvert Cheston died at his home at Waverly Heights in Gladwyne, Penn., on July 13, 1999.
He prepared for college at St. Paul's School in Concord, N.H. After graduating from Princeton, he attended the U. of Pennsylvania School of Law, graduating in 1935.
He then began to practice law with the Philadelphia firm of Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, a firm with which he remained until he retired as counsel to the firm, having been for some years a senior partner. His fields of practice were primarily corporate, securities, and banking.
Over many years, he was active in many nonprofit agencies, especially those relating to children, including the Southern Home for Children and the Philadelphia Child Welfare Board. He also served on a number of committees designed to develop programs to deal with juvenile delinquency and with the needs of city youth.
Cheston served on active duty in the Navy from Feb. 1942 to Dec. 1945. He was an air intelligence officer serving at sea on carrier task forces and for 18 months was on the staff of Vice-Admiral Mitscher. He retired with the rank of commander.
He and Nancy Meyer were married on Jan. 4, 1947. She and their five children, Radcliffe, George M., Martha, Julia, and Frances survive him. To each of them, and to his two grandchildren, the class sends its condolences.
The Class of 1932
George W. Young '32
George Young died in Hartford, Conn., June 16, 1999. He prepared for Princeton at Exeter. Following graduation, he was employed by the New York Life Insurance Co. for 10 years, becoming an actuary.
George, while at Princeton, had earned a commission as a 2nd lt., field artillery, reserve. Following the U.S. entry into WWII, he was ordered to active duty. He was returned to inactive status in Nov. 1945, at which time he held the grade of lt. col. and had been awarded the Legion of Merit.
That fall, he joined Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. as an actuary where he remained until he retired in 1975 as senior v.p. and director.
George was active in Princeton AG (regional chairman, Hartford area) and in other fundraising activities, including his church and the Community Chest.
George and Elizabeth P. Goss were married Sept. 23, 1939. She survives him. He is also survived by their son, George, Jr., and daughter, Nancy Luke, and by five grandchildren, to all of whom the class sends its condolences.
The Class of 1932
George W. Warch '34
George Warch died Aug. 1, 1999. He was 87 and had been living in a nursing home where his daughter, Mrs. Linda Fenton, had moved him after he suffered a debilitating stroke, leaving his longtime residence at The Cupola, in Paramus, N.J. Natives of Ridgewood, George and his late wife, Helen Hansen, dwelt in the area after marrying in 1936.
George was known for his sense of humor, his substantial original gift of a dedicated fund from his father's estate that supported '34's Special Assistance Fund (SAF) in its early days, and for his vigorous style as a drummer. After giving up his insurance business, he spent his prime retirement years with a band of musical friends entertaining residents of Bergen County nursing homes.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his son, Rik.
The Class of 1934
Richard Duer Waters '36
Dick died June 20,1999, of cardiac arrest. He was 84. He prepared at Blair Academy. At Princeton he majored in history and was a member of Cloister Inn. He was our first class secretary at the start of our alumni years.
During WWII, Dick served three and a half years in the U.S. Navy supply corps both in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. During the last 16 months of his service he was supply officer on a fleet tanker. He was a lt. senior grade participating in five important battles in the Pacific.
Dick served 44 years with one company, Richardson Vicks, Inc. He progressed rapidly to important positions. In 1961 he became v.p. of the company's world-wide consumer products business. At retirement he was cited for contributions to his company's global growth.
During the last 20 years of his career he was a leader of the U.S. Proprietary Manufacturers of Nonprescription Drugs. He also was a founder and chairman of the World Federation of this same type organization.
Dick was predeceased by his wife, Sally Vass Waters, whom he married in 1941 and who died in 1990. He is survived by a son, Richard Jr., daughters Suzanne Smirnoff and Dr. Virginia Waters, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Dick was a loyal Princetonian and classmate. We will indeed miss him.
The Class of 1936
Edward Fletcher Whitney '36
Ed died May 12, 1999. He was 84. He prepared at the Horace Mann School of NYC. At Princeton he majored in economics and was a member of Cloister Inn. During his junior and senior years he rowed on the heavyweight squad.
During WWII, he served four years in the Navy in the Atlantic Theater as a lieutenant. Ed's business career spanned more than 40 years in the controller's office of the Atlantic Mutual Insurance Companies. He retired in 1960.
He was an avid sports fan who continued his interest in sports and his own physical fitness program until his death.
He is survived by his brother Donald H. Whitney '30. He also was the devoted uncle of Peter D., Mary W. Hoch, Richard, and David.
Ed enjoyed Princeton and was a loyal classmate.
The Class of 1936
Richard G. Park III '37
An expert on the meaning of words and an inveterate reuner, Dick Park died July 4, 1999, of congestive heart failure. He left his wife, Charlotte, daughters Esther and Mary, and two grandchildren.
Dick prepared at The Hill and majored in history at Princeton. In 1960 he obtained an MA in international relations at the U. of Pennsylvania. He started his career with Provident Trust Co., but then his ROTC got him into the Army in 1941. He spent considerable time in Texas, about which he said "the only place in the world where a man can stand knee deep in mud and have sand blow in his face." In Europe he participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Remagen Bridgehead, and the Rhineland Campaign, coming out a major in 1946.
After several years in business, he changed careers and became a professor of political science and history at Widener U., formerly known as Pennsylvania Military College in Chester, Penn. In 1980, after 27 years of teaching, he and Charlotte retired to Nokomis, Fla. In 1986 Dick lost most of his eyesight from strokes but pursued his lifelong passion for world events by attending many Princeton and Ivy League lectures, listening to talking books, and following the world news daily. A week before he died, after several months of declining health, Dick announced that he wished to die on July 4. The significance of this date did not escape those who knew his interest in history.
The Class of 1937
William Armstrong Hunter III '42
Army Hunter died July 15, 1999, of a heart attack, at home in Weathersfield, Vt. An ordained minister who never actually had a congregation, he was known to all as one whose doctrine was "we minister unto each other." His lifelong love of printing led him to establish and publish, with his wife, Edith, the Weathersfield Weekly.
Army came to Princeton from Berkeley [Calif.] H.S., majored in philosophy, graduated with honors, and was a member of Elm Club. He received a master of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1945. After teaching and working in publishing, in 1961 he reactivated his boyhood business, The Hunter Press. In 1969 the family moved into the home, in Weathersfield, occupied by his great-great- grandfather from 1802-39.
A dedicated Princetonian, Army became the communications center of the class, first as class secy. and then as v.p. communications. He founded and, until recently, published the '42 newsletter. Hardly a day went by in which Army was not in touch with one or more classmates. We all join his family in mourning the loss of a dear friend who cared so much about others and dedicated his life to a personal ministry. To his widow, Edith, to his sons, Graham '69, Will '77, and Charles, to his daughter, Elizabeth, and to his three grandchildren, the class extends its most profound sympathies.
The Class of 1942
John Bristol Nunez '44
Jack Nunez of Mystic, Conn., died Dec. 29, 1998. He prepared at Phillips Academy. At Princeton he majored in political science and was president of Whig Clio. He was editor-in-chief of Hall Mark and a director of the Speakers' Bureau. He belonged to Cannon Club and roomed with Walen, Cooper, and Gordon.
Jack spent five years as a naval officer in WWII and Korea. He retired with the permanent rank of commander. His business career was as a sales executive with Riegel Paper.
He was v.p. of Easter Seals, a member of Service Corps of Retired Executives, president of Darien Historical Society, commodore of Bass River Yacht Club on Cape Cod, and head of the Bridgeport Naval Reserve School.
Jack was predeceased by his son Robert. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce, daughters Lee and Maureen, and son W. McDade. The class extends its deepest sympathy to his entire family.
The Class of 1944
Morris Dawes Cooke '45
Morris Cooke died Apr. 22, 1999, at home in Beaufort, S.C. He entered Princeton from St. Paul's School, the son of George Johnes Cooke '01 and the brother of James '30. He majored in mechanical engineering for two years until he transferred to Cornell in 1943 under the Navy V-12 program. While at Princeton, Morris was a member of Charter Club and served on the staff of The Daily Princetonian.
Morris was commissioned in the Marine Corps in Mar., 1945, and served in Guam and in North China during WWII. He continued as a marine officer until he retired in 1974, serving in Korea, as commanding officer of the Marine detachment on the USS Macon, commanding officer of the Marine barracks in Argentia, Newfoundland, and then on the staff of the joint chiefs and the commandant of the Marine Corps.
Morris married Georgianna H. McTeer, of Beaufort, who survives him. Also surviving are a son, Morris D. Jr., a daughter, Elizabeth M., two grandsons, and a granddaughter, to all of whom the class expresses its sincere sympathy on the loss of this classmate who so epitomized "Princeton in the nation's service."
The Class of 1945
Albert Ray Knotts Jr. '48
Al Knotts died of leukemia on June 28, 1999, at his Blackstone, Va., home, three and a half miles from the Nottoway County house where he was born. He was 73.
Al was a retired United Methodist minister. He had served churches from Richmond to Petersburg to Danville to Roanoke and places in between. He retired to Blackstone in 1991.
Al earned his degree in 1950 in aeronautical engineering. He played 150-lb. football and was in Cloister. He was in the Navy from 1944-46. He first worked in the automobile business and then with the Virginia Dept. of Transportation until 1952. He then attended seminary at Duke and was ordained in 1955.
Al was multitalented. He designed and help build a church at Pembroke. At Rocky Mount he repaired the church's chimes, which had been silent for 15 years; this involved making the precision parts needed as the company that made the original parts no longer existed.
An avid golfer, Al was active in a number of civic organizations, though his primary love and concern was his family. This was followed by his love and concern for his parishioners.
To his widow, Mable, and sons, Albert, David and Steven, the class extends its deepest sympathy and shares in their loss.
The Class of 1948
Ralph Dyer McKee Jr. '48
Ralph "Mac" McKee died of heart failure June 27, 1999, at his weekend retreat in the woodlands north of Pittsburgh.
He graduated from Bellevue H.S., and after earning his degree in history and his law degree from the U. of Pittsburgh in 1951, he resettled in the same area in which had spent his early life. Mac served in the Air Force during WWII.
At Princeton Mac was president of Tower Club and a member of the Interclub Committee during his senior year. Mac frequently attended major reunions with his wife, Ann, sister of Jack Reimers '48. Mac's father, Ralph D. McKee, was a member of the Class of '19.
A distinguished lawyer with the firm of Sherrard, German & Kelly, Mac was chairman of the professional ethics committee of the court of common pleas of Allegheny County.
Mac will be remembered as a robust, upbeat man who enjoyed golf, tennis, trout fishing, bowling, bridge, poker, and driving the truck with the local volunteer fire department. The week before Mac died, he and his wife, Ann, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a reunion in Maine with their children, Scott '73, Elizabeth Beswick, and Jane M. Hardman, and eight grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Ann McKee Stout. The class extends its sympathy to the family.
The Class of 1948
Robert Morris Benjamin Jr. '49
Bob Benjamin died in Southampton, N.Y., on Apr. 27, 1997. Born in NYC on Mar. 2, 1927, he prepared for college at Exeter, where he was on the hockey and tennis teams, and a member of the Glee Club. He spent two terms at Princeton and left, ultimately becoming a manufacturer's representative for firms in the furniture industry.
As president of Robert Benjamin Inc., he specialized in serving major accounts for office furniture, representing a number of western manufacturers. In 1996 he sold his townhouse in NYC and moved to Southampton.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, and a son, Robert III. To them we extend our deep sympathy at the loss of this fine gentleman.
The Class of 1949
William Henry Bowen '49
Bill Bowen died Feb. 27, 1998, of prostate cancer. He had been living in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
He was born Feb. 15, 1924, and was a sergeant in the Army from May, 1942, until Feb., 1946, in the European theater during WWII. He came to Princeton from Baltimore City College. At Princeton he majored in history, graduating with high honors, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He belonged to the German Club and the Film Club.
Bill went to Yale graduate school as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and after earning his MA went to work for Time magazine. In 1958 he married Mary Elizabeth Welsh; they had two sons. After working as an associate editor for Time he became an editor at Fortune, handling many key articles, and spent the rest of his career there, becoming its managing editor. As of our 35th reunion he listed himself as retired.
Bill's wife predeceased him, and at his death he was survived by sons David and Thomas. To them we extend our utmost sympathy.
The Class of 1949
Knox Hudson Culley '49
Knox was born in L.A. in 1927. He attended the Adirondack Florida School in Onchiota, N.Y., Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y., and the Taft School in Watertown, Conn., from which he graduated in 1944.
He served in the Army during 1945 prior to coming to Princeton, where he was a member of the Bridge Club. He spent only one term at the university, following which he attended the U. of Arizona, and then graduated from the U. of Idaho in 1949 with a degree in forestry.
Knox had several career changes before going to work for the Family Life Insurance Co., headquartered in Seattle. He worked for Family Life from 1960 until his death in Apr., 1969. Knox was in charge of sales production for northern California.
He is survived by his wife, Marion, a daughter, Deborah, a son, David, five grandchildren, a brother, Peter, and a distant cousin, Donald M. Wilson '51, who only recently obtained this information for us. Knox's direct contact with Princeton ended in 1957.
To all his survivors the class extend its sympathy.
The Class of 1949
Leonard Daniel Goodis '49
"Goodis" was born on June 6, 1928, in Philadelphia, and came to us from Bridgeton H.S. in New Jersey, where he was involved with their publication, dramatics and debating activities. He was coeditor of their yearbook, and salutatorian of his class.
At Princeton he majored in philosophy, and waited on tables at Commons. Following graduation, he studied at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and the Pennsylvania and Yale graduate schools. At our 10th reunion he was working for teacher's certification at Temple U. in Philadelphia, with the expectation of teaching philosophy and psychology. He lived in that city for some years thereafter.
By our 25th reunion, the university had lost track of him. He had been estranged from his family, and we have heard had been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. A distant relative knows that Leonard has passed on, and estimates the year of death as 1991.
To those who knew Leonard we express our sincere sympathy.
The Class of 1949
Edward Lloyd Mertz '49
Lloyd was born in Rochester N.Y., Nov. 12, 1928, and, according to the Social Security Death Index, died in Jan. 1974.
Lloyd came to Princeton from Brighton H.S., where he was active on student publications, student government, and debating. At Princeton he majored in history, was a member of Whig-Clio, on the staff of the Nassau Lit, and a member of Terrace Club.
Following Princeton, he attended Columbia law school, graduating in 1952, and that same year married Jane Coulter of New Bedford. He was drafted into the Army in 1953, and served in the judge advocate general's corps, with most of his service time spent in Verdun-sur-Meuse, France, where children Katherine and Victoria were born.
In 1959 he was associated with the NYC law firm of Beekman & Bogue. He later opened his own practice in Port Washington, N.Y., and by our 20th reunion had moved to D.C. The university lost track of him in 1973.
To his survivors we extend our sympathy.
The Class of 1949
William Clay Spearing '49
Bill was born on Long Island, N.Y., June 30, 1924, and according to the Social Security Index died at Islip in May, 1985.
Bill came to Princeton from Mineola H.S. At college he majored in economics, was a member of Tiger Inn, and played on the JV baseball team. After graduation he was in the underwriting department of the North American Reassurance Co. of New York, and in 1956 he was a transfer trainee with the Corporation Trust Co. in NYC, living in Rego Park, L.I. He was among our "missing" at our 20th, and the university had no further word from him from then on. We therefore have no knowledge about any family or survivors.
The Class of 1949
James B. Boskey '64
Jim Boskey, professor of family law at Seton Hall U. Law School since 1972, died from brain cancer on June 14, 1999. He was 57 and lived in North Caldwell, N.J.
Jim grew up in West Orange, N.J., and attended Pingry School. At Princeton, Jim majored in sociology. He was a member of Court Club and Whig-Clio. He went on to earn his JD degree at the U. of Michigan and an LLM from the London School of Economics.
Jim's studies in anthropology and sociology at Princeton convinced him that other cultures utilized dispute resolution techniques that were in important ways superior to the American system of adversary litigation, and he spent his professional life advancing the use of those techniques. He also played a significant role in the advancement of major new legal principles in child abuse, adoption, and divorce mediation. He created The Alternative Newsletter, the premier information resource for alternative dispute resolution, as well as the Family Law Journal and the Family Law Clinic at Seton Hall.
He found time to record books for the blind, to be a board member and a performer with the Livingston Community Players, to do AG, and to coach colleagues and students in the intricacies of WordPerfect.
To his wife, Adele, their daughter, Elizabeth, and to his many friends, the class extends its deepest sympathy.
The Class of 1964
Jimmer M. Leonard '64
Word has reached us that Jimmer Leonard died Aug. 7, 1996, and we have very few details.
Jimmer was born in Johnson City, N.Y., and grew up in Wappingers Falls, where he was active in debate and drama in high school before entering Princeton. As an undergraduate, he majored in sociology, was a member of Campus Club and was active in WPRB. He entered Johns Hopkins U. in Sept., 1964, to pursue his doctorate in sociology and a career in academe. We know nothing more about his career. At the time of his death, he was living in Emmaus, Penn.
To his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Leonard, and to his brother-in-law, Dr. Robert M. Kraus, the class offers belated but sincere condolences and sympathy.
The Class of 1964
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