Memorials - February 23, 2000
David Milne Watt III '31
Dave was born Feb.14, 1909, in Butler, Pa., and died on Nov. 30, 1999, in Tucson, Ariz., after a fulfilling and active life. Dave also spent many years in Pittsburgh, East Orange, N.J., South Orange, N.J., Cincinnati, and Leland, Mich. He attended East Orange H.S. and Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.
At Princeton, he made the honor roll in his freshman and junior years. He was also a member of the freshman track, varsity track, and varsity water polo teams, the Westminster Society Cabinet, board of directors of the Student Faculty Assn., and Cap and Gown.
He devoted most of his years to Proctor & Gamble, where he was overseas personnel manager. He later acted as director of their scholarship program. He served as councilman and vice mayor of Amberley Village (Cincinnati). He was also involved in the work of the Y.M.C.A., the Red Cross, and the Community Chest and was pres. of the executive board of the Walnut Hills H.S. Assn. He belonged to the Cincinnati Tennis Club, the Cincinnati Country Club, the Leland Country Club, and the Leland Yacht Club.
Surviving are his wife, Marjorie, four children, Sherwood, David M. Jr., Mary Louise, and Barbara Blakeley, eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The class extends its sincerest sympathy to the entire family.
The Class of 1931
William H. Fineshriber Jr. '31
In the broad world of entertainment, Bill Fineshriber was unusually accomplished. Born in Davenport, Iowa, on Nov. 4, 1909, he died on Nov. 6, 1999.
He prepared at Central H.S. in Memphis and Germantown and West Philadelphia H.S. in Philadelphia, and continued a distinguished career at Princeton, where he was an honor student all four years. He was also a member of the tennis, wrestling, Cane Spree, and squash teams, advertising manager of the Nassau Lit, editorial board member of the Princetonian; member of the banjo club, student manager of Jewish Services, and a member of Clio Hall.
In 1932, shortly after graduating, he journeyed to Paris to study at the Sorbonne, where he wrote an interesting book, Stendhal, the Romantic Realist, published by Princeton U. Press. He commenced his entertainment career in 1931 with CBS, and after many and varying positions became a v.p. and general manager of networks until 1949. From there he went with Mutual Broadcasting System for a short period and ended up in 1953 as v.p. and general manager of networks. In 1956 he became v.p. of Television Programs of America, and switched to the distribution of motion pictures with Screen Gems. He also managed Carnegie Hall. Bill was on the board of the National Assn. of Radio and Television Broadcasters and the Radio Assn. of Broadcasters, and was v.p. of Radio Pioneers. His social activities included membership in the Princeton Club of New York, the Rockefeller Luncheon Club, Les Ambassadeurs of London, and Epicures of Brussels.
Bill is survived by his wife Ruth Moskin-Fineshriber, two children, stepson Jeffrey Moskin, and two grandchildren. The class extends its warmest sympathy to the entire family.
The Class of 1931
Donald Hutchinson Halsey '32
Donald H. Halsey died in New Orleans on Dec. 5, 1999. He was born on Sept. 16, 1910, in Asheville, N.C. He had lived in New Orleans for more than 75 years.
He was an admired and respected member of the business community for more than 50 years, concentrating in the fields of advertising and public relations as pres. of Halsey, Stakelum & Brown, Inc. and of the Advertising Club of New Orleans. He was a founding member of the United Way.
Don prepared for Princeton at the Gilman School, and at Princeton he was undergraduate manager of Cap and Gown. He served on active duty during WWII, attaining the rank of lt. commander and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Don and Virginia King Logan were married in 1935 at Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans. She died in May 1993. He is survived by his daughters Kate, and Elizabeth Halsey Register, his son John II, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
The class of will miss Don's presence at class gatherings and we send our sympathy to Kate, Elizabeth, and John.
The Class of 1932
Henry Cooley Parsons '34
Hank Parsons, who owned and operated the Parsons Roofing Co., in Williamsport, Pa., his hometown, died there Dec. 7, 1999, after a brief illness. Executive secy. of Industrial Properties Corp. and executive v.p. of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce for several years, he was a former city director of public safety and director of industrial development with the chamber.
He was the Williamsport Country Club golf club champion in 1931, 1939, and 1940, and invitational tournament champion in 1936 and 1938. In addition, he bowled the first sanctioned 300 game in Williamsport.
In 1941, Hank married Katrine Barclay, who died in 1985. Surviving are son Henry C. Jr.; three daughters, Barbara P. Carson, Louise P. Jones, and Anne H., with whom he lived, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. To them all we offer our sincere sympathies.
The Class of 1934
Richard P. Bell '37
Almost a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, ebullient Dick Bell died Dec. 6, 1999, a few days after sending in his new address in Verona, Pa., and nine days before his 61st wedding anniversary. Vivien survives with daughters Judith and Nancy, and six grandchildren, including one set of twins.
At Shady Side, Dick engaged in football, student government, basketball, and baseball, winning a plaque for best student of all-around athletics.
At Princeton, he majored in economics, played freshman football and baseball, varsity baseball, and was v.p. and manager of Campus Club.
He worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass for four years before five years of field artillery army life around the country, coming out a major. He then returned to PPG. After 34 years, he retired as national sales manager and became director for the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area for Natl. Alliance of Business until 1982.
He founded and later served as pres. and director of the Pittsburgh Regional Engineering Program, which identifies minority students in Pittsburgh public schools who have the capability of majoring in engineering or the sciences in college. He also served in many other civic activities and participated in major charity drives.
The Class of 1937
Bradford Cochran '37
Brad Cochran died Dec. 14, 1999, shortly after moving from Bernardsville, N.J. to Sherborn, Mass., to be near his two daughters. "Our food bill had quadrupled, but we loved all the action," said Betsy, his wife of 58 years, who survives with children Sheila, Jock, Ben, Lolly, Barbara, and 10 grandchildren.
Brad came to Princeton from Deerfield, where he was active in soccer. At Princeton, he majored in history and was a member of the soccer team, the Intl. Relations Club, Westminster Society, and Cap and Gown.
After graduation and a trip around the world, Brad worked in New Hampshire as an advertiser with the Natl. Biscuit Co. for three years and then went into the Army as a private, ending up a first lt. in the field artillery with numerous campaigns in the European theater.
After being a copy writer and account executive with Cervan, Cowan and Dangler in NYC, he began a long banking career with Natl. Newark and Essex Bank, becoming senior v.p. in charge of the commercial loan department. In 1952, he was treasurer of the Bonnie Brae School for critically neglected boys, and in 1953 earned a graduate degree in banking at Rutgers. In 1991, he and Betsy took a walking tour of Switzerland. "If you think we climbed even the small Alps and carried 60-lb. packs, forget it."
The Class of 1937
Alan R. Johnston '37
Outstanding citizen, Princeton enthusiast, and avid sailor, Al Johnston died Dec. 24, 1999. His wife, Eleanor, predeceased him by two months. He left children Ace, Ned, Molly, and four grandchildren.
At Princeton, he majored in mechanical engineering, was on the varsity track team for three years, was an officer of the Princeton Yacht Club, and a member of Tiger Inn.
Al practiced law at Jenner & Block for 45 years, except for four years in the Navy commanding a minesweeper in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
He served in the Illinois legislature from 1963-70 and was author of important legislation to cleanup and preserve Lake Michigan. He was honored by the mayor of Chicago for this work by having July 25, 1990, declared Alan R. Johnston Day. Presidencies included the Legal Club of Chicago, Chicago Crime Commission, the Lake Michigan Federation, Princeton Club of Chicago, and the New Trier Citizens League.
He competed in more than 20 Chicago-to-Mackinac races, winning the Lake Michigan Yachting Assn.'s Boat of the Year and from Jan. 1986 was executive director of the Heart of American Challenge, building a 12 meter to compete in Perth, Australia, for the America's Cup.
The Class of 1937
Samuel H. Waughtel '37
Constant communicator with classmates and Princeton associations, swimmer Sam Waughtel died Dec. 15, 1999. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary, sons Peter and Steven, daughters Melissa and Elizabeth, and seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, all of whom surrounded him with love in his hospice.
At Moses Brown School, Sam was on the football, baseball, and swimming teams as well as the dramatic and publications boards. At Princeton, he majored in biology, graduated with honors, and was on the swimming team and manager of Campus Club.
After a year of machine design with the Rhode Island School of Design, he started a successful career with Brown and Sharpe Mfg. Co. in 1942. Working in national defense, Sam was a department foreman, building 9,000 pumps a month for the Navy's new ships and submarines, and later became assistant to the v.p. He then joined C. O. Hoffacker Co., designing and manufacturing guided missiles. He also served as treas. and worked on the administrative council of the Rhode Island branch of the Natl. Metal Trades Assn., and was pres. of the Rhode Island Alumni Assn. and Princeton Club of Rhode Island.
In 1993, he had various medical problems and was called, by his surgeon, The Princeton Tiger With Nine Lives.
The Class of 1937
Clayton R. Gaylord '41
Clayton died on Jan. 3, 1998, in Lake Geneva. He was a widower. Survivors are son Russell, stepdaughter Andrea Sulfer, brothers Edson and Robert Jr., and sister Helen Townsend. His sisters think there are 11 grandchildren. There is one great-grandchild.
At Princeton, Clay majored in psychology. When he retired in 1984, he was chairman of Ingersoll Intl., one of the parent companies of the Ingersoll Milling Machine Co., which had been founded by his grandfather Winthrop Ingersoll in 1889. Clay's impact on Rockford has been considerable, since the firm employed more that 2,000 people, and his influence reached deeply into the cultural and political roots of the community. For his entire life he was a staunch supporter of the Republican Party and held strong conservative views.
People said that Clayton cared deeply for his country. We are sad to lose Clayton.
The Class of 1941
Eben Dickey Finney Jr. '46
Eben D. "Pete" Finney died Sept. 27, 1999, of cancer at his home in Lutherville, Md.
Born in Midland, Tex., son of E. D. Finney '19, Pete grew up on Good Fellowship Farm near Baltimore, graduated from the Gilman School, and entered Princeton in 1942. He served in the Naval Air Corps in Pensacola, from 1943-45, and returned to Princeton in 1947, graduating in 1948. He worked for 17 years in the corrugated box business for Wabash Manufacturing Co. and Greenwood Engineering Co., and learned accounting and then mechanical engineering at night school. He started Fiberglass Specialties in 1956, where he developed several patents. In 1968, he joined Rouse Co. in real estate development, becoming an independent developer from 1973 until he retired in 1980. He enjoyed raising springer spaniels.
Pete married Georgianna Bailliere in 1956; she died in 1993. Their children, who survive, are Eben III, Marian, and Thomas. He also has a brother, D. C. Wharton Finney '47, and two '46 cousins, John M.T. Finney III, and William H.M. Finney. The class joins the family in mourning an accomplished professional, loving father, and loyal Princetonian.
The Class of 1946
Glenn A. Foss '55
Glenn A. Foss died Sept. 22, 1999, at his home in Williamstown, Mass., of complications from diabetes originally diagnosed during his days at Princeton. He accepted the hand he was dealt and never complained. He just lived with it in his patient manner and was a great example to those who knew him.
Born in Brooklyn, Glenn attended the Kingswood School in West Hartford, Conn. At Princeton, he majored in psychology, graduating cum laude, joined Campus Club, played five IAA sports, and was active in the Wesley Foundation. His roommates were Bill Eddy and Greg Parker. Glenn also earned an MBA from Stanford.
Glenn was employed in various financial posts with Raytheon in Lexington, Mass., until 1979, when he joined Sprague Electric in North Adams as assistant to the pres. From 1980-97 he was with Steinerfilm in Williamstown as director of personnel and purchasing.
Glenn was past pres. of the former Northern Berkshire Assn. for Retarded Citizens and an active board member for many years. He was instrumental in purchasing the Flood House in North Adams as a residence for handicapped individuals, building a greenhouse as a sheltered workshop, and developing the Community Clinical Nursery School for retarded preschool children. He also served as pres. of the Rotary Club and moderator of the First Baptist Church.
Glenn leaves Nancy, his wife of 38 years, sons Brian and Stephen, daughter Sharon Bryan, sister Marilyn Anderson, granddaughter Lisa, and several nieces and nephews. To them we extend our deep sympathy.
The Class of 1955
William Edward Lawless '73
William Edward Lawless of Plano, Tex., died of heart disease on Sept. 15, 1999. He was a native of Charleston, W.Va., and a computer engineer.
William, also known as Bill or Will, was valedictorian of his class at George Washington H.S., a National Merit Scholar, and a National Youth Science Camper. After receiving a B.S. in electrical engineering from Princeton, he pursued graduate studies at the U. of Illinois-Urbana and the U. of Texas-Dallas.
Bill loved science and technology, listening to Celtic music, watching a favorite movie a dozen times, the Apollo moon landing, visiting every national space observatory, playing with his cat, Jadzia, sharing green tea in the garden, and blue chrysanthemums. He was particularly proud of his impersonation of Mark Twain during a debate at Princeton, for which he received a standing ovation.
Bill is survived by brothers George and John. At the time of his death, he was engaged to Lisa Singh of Dayton. She has created a web page in Bill's memory at www.dnaco.net/~lisa/lawless and welcomes comments from those who knew him. The class extends deep sympathy to Bill's family, and friends.
The Class of 1973
Paul Gerard Hornack '76
Paul Gerard Hornack died Jan. 4, 1999, after a hiking accident atop a mountain in New Zealand. He was 44.
Paul attended Hazelton [Pa.] H.S. At Princeton, he majored in astrophysical sciences and graduated with honors. He was an active member of Dial Lodge and served as food manager. His Princeton friends remember Paul as a car and sports enthusiast, with a particular love for his Mustang.
After Princeton, Paul received a master's in material science from Cornell and an MBA from the Wharton Graduate School of Business. He worked for ARCO in the finance division for several years, and then joined McKinsey as a management consultant. Paul spent several years with BHP in Hawaii, where he was v.p. of marketing and sales, and ultimately joined Andersen Consulting as an associate partner in strategic services.
Several years ago, Paul became interested in hiking and went on climbs in far-flown locales that included Hawaii, Brazil, and Washington's Mt. Rainier. In the midst of a 10-day vacation in New Zealand, Paul stumbled off a trail onto a steep slope.
Paul is survived by his parents, Philomena and John, his brother, James, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. The class extends its deepest sympathy to them all.
The Class of 1976
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