Herbert Irving Abelson

Herbert Abelson, a longtime resident of Princeton, died September 9, 2018 in Cary, North Carolina, following complications of dementia. He was 92.

He was born January 13, 1926 in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Rose and Maxwell Abelson. He attended local public schools and Clark University. He received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Maryland in 1952. He married Fay Huffman, a fellow student, in 1953.

He spent three years at a research facility of the Department of the Army, housed at The George Washington University. He directed several studies featuring new procedures for debriefing refugees from eastern European countries, and he developed tests for selecting personnel for the newly organized Army Special Forces.

In 1956, Dr. Abelson and family moved to Princeton to join Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) as Chief Psychologist and later as a Vice President and Director. Dr. Abelson became one of the key social science researchers during the post-war period to apply principles from the academic social sciences and statistics to the practice of commercial survey research. He was also active his entire career in professional associations.

In 1963, Dr. Abelson was appointed to a National Academy of Sciences study group in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The subject was civil defense in the Cold War, an area in which Dr. Abelson had conducted and reported relevant research.

In 1966, Dr. Abelson went to Vietnam for CBS News, to organize the first nongovernmental wartime survey of the civilian population of South Vietnam. The study for CBS News was conducted in 1967, and was the subject of a CBS broadcast.

In 1969 Dr. Abelson resigned from ORC to cofound Response Analysis Corporation (RAC), an applied research firm conducting inquiries for government, not-for-profit, and for-profit firms. Of particular importance were several national surveys conducted for the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and for the U.S. Department of Energy. These studies utilized new applied research methodologies.

In 1993, Dr. Abelson accepted an appointment at the Woodrow Wilson School of Princeton University. There he spent ten years teaching courses in survey methods and consulting with faculty and students.

He authored a well-known textbook entitled Persuasion, How Opinions and Attitudes are Changed (1959). Persuasion was translated into several languages. A second edition was published in 1971.

Dr. Abelson loved fishing, card playing, collecting wine, playing harmonica, and collecting matchbook covers. He traveled extensively with his wife and family, and visited Long Beach Island for 40 summers.

He was a member of the Jewish Center of Princeton and a Trustee of McCarter Theatre. He was active in the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, Princeton Community Television Committee, Community Without Walls, Princeton Old Guard, and Nassau Club. He qualified as an emergency medical technician, and volunteered for the Princeton Rescue Squad.

He is predeceased by his parents and by his wife of 63 years, Fay Huffman Abelson. He is survived by three children: Joseph Abelson, Daniel Abelson, and Rachel Hickson; and by six grandchildren, Sarah Abelson, Alicia Abelson, Meredith Hickson, Jessamine Hickson, Maxwell Abelson, and Rico Abelson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, 72½ Escher Street, Trenton, NJ 08609, and to McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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Kirk William Moore

Kirk William Moore, DDS, 65, of Springfield, Mass., passed away unexpectedly at his home on September 12, 2018. Born in New Brunswick, N.J., he was the son of Ruth K. Moore from Princeton, and the late Donald P. Moore.

Kirk attended Princeton Day School and attended the University of Pennsylvania. He received his DDS from Howard University. Kirk practiced at BayState Dental in Springfield. The most important thing in his life was caring for his patients. He enjoyed biking and loved jazz music.

Besides his mother, Kirk leaves behind his daughter, Simone Moore of New York City; his twin sister, Christine Morrison and her husband, Curtis of Hopkinton, Mass.; and his nephew, Blake Morrison of New York City.

A funeral mass was held on Saturday, September 22 at St. Michael’s Church in Springfield, Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org, will be appreciated. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com.

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Lydia Schulze

Lydia Schulze, 71, died suddenly at home September 23, 2018. She was born August 29, 1947 in Bad Wörishofen, Germany, the daughter of Nicholas and Halyna Domkiw.

Lydia graduated from Vassar College, Class of 1969. After graduation she married Carl Schulze, and they settled in Princeton. Together they owned and operated a family business, the New Jersey Feed Laboratory, in Ewing, N.J. They celebrated 47 years of marriage in July.

Lydia was a passionate supporter of the arts, including the Princeton Public Library and McCarter Theatre. In light of her son’s developmental disabilities, she staunchly advocated for The Camphill School, serving as board secretary for many years.

She will be remembered for her laughter, her humor, and ability to love unconditionally. Lydia dedicated herself to her family, her children, her community, and especially her friends. She gave generously to numerous United Methodist Mission projects, as well as many Camphill initiatives.

Predeceased by her parents, she is survived by her husband, Carl; her son, Peter Hans Schulze; and her daughter and son-in-law, Anastasia and Eric Littlepage.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, N.J. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10 a.m.

Flowers or a contribution to Four Winds Community, 32 Colburn Road, Temple, NH 03084 will be appreciated.

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Cynthia Magnum White Fisher

Cynthia Mangum White Fisher, 73, affectionately known as “Chip,” passed away on Thursday, September 20, surrounded by her loving family, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, after a courageous battle with health issues. She was born on July 12, 1945 to the late Olivia Mangum White and Elisha James White Sr. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Beverly Ann White and Mahasin Rashada (Patricia Ann White).

Cynthia was born and raised in Princeton, where she graduated from Princeton High School. She retired from Princeton Hospital in 2002, after 32 years of dedicated service as the Office Manager of Human Resources. She was a fashion designer, seamstress, wedding coordinator, artist, and the founder of Concoctions Inc. Cynthia enjoyed shopping, and loved to do yard sales, where she provided quality and beautiful merchandise at affordable prices. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, where she served on the Ladies’ Guild. She was very active in the Princeton Senior Club. She provided many services to the community as a Notary. As the CEO/Founder of Concoctions Inc. she created beautiful unique gift items, specializing in sports teams’ memorabilia.

Cynthia’s memory will be cherished by her devoted husband of 50 years, Gilbert I. Fisher; and her son, Scotty G. Fisher (Catherine). She is also survived by her sisters, Shirlene Wells of Yardley, PA, and Gail Olivia Everett (Robin) of Princeton; and her brother, Elisha James White Jr. (Michele) of Stockbridge, GA. She had three godchildren: Silas Massey Jr., Cheyenne Mendez, and Robin Lee Everett Jr.; dear friends Karen J. Marrow and William and Suzie Johnson; and a special niece Kelly Wells-Hodges. She also leaves to mourn uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 1 at First Baptist Church of Princeton. Viewing at 9 until 11 a.m., funeral services starting at 11 a.m. Reverend Carlton Branscomb will be officiating. Services provided by Hughes Funeral Home.

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Memorial for Edythe Click

Mom, I miss you and think of you every day since you left us on February 7th, 2018. You were brilliant and compassionate. You achieved so much in your lifetime. From your early days as an exceptional working mom you taught me to always work hard and achieve my dreams. You are incredibly missed by your family and friends. I love you mom, today and every day. You give me strength to carry on. Happy peaceful birthday in heaven, September 22nd.

Your forever grateful daughter,
Rhonda Mace