Robert George Gilpin Jr.

Robert (Bob) George Gilpin Jr., age 87, passed away on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 in Waterbury, VT. His children Linda, Beth, and Rob were by his side. (Please note that a full obituary can be found on https://www.facebook.com/Robert.G.Gilpin or www.perkinsparker.com.)

Bob was considered one of the 20th century’s most distinguished scholars of international relations. He was described by one colleague as having “little interest in seeking fame and fortune as an academic superstar, [instead] he just wanted to understand.” To many, he was Professor Gilpin— though he far preferred the title “Bob.” A third-generation Vermonter, Bob was at least as proud of his Green Mountain heritage as of his academic accomplishments. A quick-witted storyteller with a mischievous spirit, Bob could be counted on to burst into song, recite poems, or dance whenever the spirit moved him.

Bob attended the University of Vermont, where he met Jean Ann Millis who would become his bride, life partner, co-author, cheerleader, social navigator, true love, and source of inspiration in all he did.

After graduation Bob served as an officer in the Navy. He continued on his academic path with masters and doctoral work at Cornell and UC-Berkeley before moving to Princeton in 1962 with Jean and their growing family. Bob joined the Princeton faculty and earned tenure just five years later. A professor of politics and the inaugural holder of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Professor of International Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School, he was the recipient of numerous fellowships including Guggenheim and Rockefeller,

Several of Bob’s books are considered seminal works in the field. Jean’s inquisitive mind, editorial skills, and master’s degree in international politics made her an ideal writing partner.

After Bob retired from Princeton in 1998, he and Jean moved to Greensboro, VT, where their greatest joy was in welcoming family and friends. More recently, they made their home in Shelburne, VT, where Bob continued to follow world affairs, even working on a new book on the Iraq War.

While his scholarship was immensely important to him, the roles that mattered most to Bob were those of teacher, mentor, colleague, friend, father, brother, son, and most important of all, husband. Even after 62 years of marriage, Bob still marveled that he had won the hand of Jean Millis, and was devastated by her death last October.

Bob is survived by his children Linda, Beth, and Rob Gilpin and their partners Rick Blake, Mark Powell, and Jan Gilpin, as well as grandchildren Jamie Benson, Hazen and Riley Powell, Everett, Jeremy, and Toby Gilpin, and Chase and Chelsea Benson (now Laukaitis). Bob was predeceased by his beloved sister Barbara Schell, but maintained loving relationships with nieces and nephews near and far.

Combined services for Jean and Bob will be held in Vermont later this summer and in Princeton, NJ this fall. To read the full obituary or leave condolences, please visit www.facebook.com/Robert.G.Gilpin or www.perkinsparker.com.  Condolences can also be sent c/o Beth Gilpin, 480 Black Bear Hollow, Waterbury, VT 05676.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University of Vermont General Scholarship Fund.

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Robert Parker Seass

Robert Parker Seass of Naples, FL, formerly of Princeton, NJ, died peacefully June 21 after a lengthy Illness, his wife Michele at his side. Born in Chicago July 31, 1939, the son of the late Arthur Robert Seass and Helen Parker. Bob was raised in Two Rivers, WI. He attended Washington High School and Northwestern University. He graduated from University of Wisconsin and received his MBA at the University of Chicago. He served in the Air Force Reserves.

His professional career started with Arthur Anderson. In 1966 he joined The Harris Bank and Trust in Chicago. In 1978 he moved to Richmond, VA, as CFO of First and Merchants National Bank. He participated in the highly successful merger with VA National Bank forming VA’s largest banking firm – Sovran Financial Corporation. In 1985 he returned to Chicago as CFO of Dean Witter Financial Services of Sears Roebuck for the startup of the Discover Card. Shortly afterwards he was asked to move to NYC and became corporate controller of Dean Witter Discover.  The eventual merger of Dean Witter Discover and Morgan Stanley presented his last professional challenge before retiring to Naples only to be met with the challenge of golf.

Bob was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, the American Institute of CPAs, Financial Executives Institute, Sons of the Revolution, the Commonwealth Club, and Greater Naples Leadership. He was a past member of the Chicago Yacht Club and the Rappahannock River Yacht Club.

Bob appreciated fine food, wine, and travel, especially to Paris with Michele. Living close to NYC allowed him to explore the multitude of New York bistros. This hobby resulted in the moniker of “Bistro Bob” and the 1999 publication of Best Bistros and Brasseries of New York, a joint effort of his fellow office gourmands. In 2002 he published Favorite Paris Bistros, his guide to enjoying Paris, for he thought the real heart and soul of Paris could be found in their bistros.

Bob was a kind and gentle man with a great sense of humor who loved being with his family and friends. Some of his favorite family moments were spent sailing on Lake Michigan or the Chesapeake Bay and skiing in Europe and out West.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 43 years, Michele Johnson; stepson, J. Christopher Schoen (Melissa); grandchildren, Jessica, Jack, and Nathaniel Schoen; a niece, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved daughters, Amy Kathryn and Jennifer Parker; his stepson, Andrew Schoen; and his sister, Jane Langert.

A memorial service will be held in Naples Saturday, August 4, 11 a.m. at Trinity by the Cove Episcopal Church.  Contributions in his memory may be made to: the Parkinson’s Association of SW FL, 5926 Premier Way #114 Naples, FL 34109 or Avow Hospice,1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105.

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Todd Tieger

Todd Tieger of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Philadelphia, PA on July 10, 1949 to Jerome and Dorris Tieger. He was always an excellent student, and skilled athlete, participating on his high school gymnastics team. 

Todd attended Abington Junior and Senior High Schools. He was an honor roll student his entire time there. He went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Lehigh University, followed by his PhD in experimental psychology from Stanford University. He began his professional career at Bell Laboratories, later moving on to senior roles with Morgan Stanley and Deloitte.

Todd spent his spare time studying Taijiquan for over 40 years. Under the tutelage of master Alex Dong, he became a respected senior instructor. He taught two heavily attended Taijiquan courses at the West Windsor Plainsboro Library, which he offered free of charge. 

During his days at Lehigh, Todd became heavily involved in the student activist movement, a passion he would carry with him to his involvement as a founding member of the Robeson Group and Princeton School Board where he served as Chair of the Affirmative Action Committee. 

Todd is survived by his wife Dierdre, sons Eron Bucciarelli-Tieger and Robin Bucciarelli-Tieger, and loving grandchildren Bayla Bucciarelli and Pierson Tieger. He is predeceased by his mother and father, as well as his brother Mark Tieger and sister Kim Tieger. 

Beyond all his pursuits, family was the most important thing to Todd. He was a devoted father, husband, grandfather, uncle, and friend to everyone. He will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 8 from 1-5 p.m. at his home.

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Arthur J. Conley

Arthur J. Conley, 94, of Princeton died peacefully on June 24, 2018. The cause of death was from intestinal complications. He was a longtime resident of New Jersey, first in Chatham, then Madison, and finally for 29 ¾ years in Princeton.

He was born in Oconto, WI, the son of Walter and Marie Levasseur. He was raised in Green Bay, WI by his paternal grandparents, Arthur and Hattie Levasseur, who ran a small neighborhood grocery store.

At age 12 he joined his stepfather, Robert H. Conley, and mother in Chicago, IL. He attended Northwestern University where he was a member of the Naval R.O.T.C. In 1944 upon the completion of his junior year, at the age of 20, he was commissioned an ensign and assigned to the USS Anacapa AG49, a cargo ship operating in World War II in the Central Pacific and Aleutian Islands. He remained on board for two years, serving as navigator.

At the end of the war he returned to Northwestern where he completed his academic work under the GI Bill. He graduated in 1947 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. In the same year he married Patricia Thompson. While on their honeymoon he was interviewed by the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co., now 3M. He was offered and accepted a job at their Akron, Ohio plant.

After three years in Akron he moved to New Jersey to take up a position with the Keuffel and Esser Co., the makers of the famous slide rules and surveying instruments. He remained with K&E for 17 years.

At age 42 he applied for and was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship at Columbia University’s Teachers College where he earned a Master’s Degree. He then began a 22 year career teaching secondary school mathematics and physics, first at the Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton and then at the Kent Place School in Summit.

In 1979, after the death of his wife in 1977, he married Louise Connolly who was then Director of Guidance at Kent Place School, and upon his retirement he moved to Princeton.

He was an avid reader, a rabid Green Bay Packers fan, a consummate Anglophile, and enthusiastic photographer, a hobby that kept him occupied up to his death. He left behind thousands of digitized photos which he had scanned from his large collection of negatives and slides along with 24 hours of 8mm and 16mm movie film which he had edited and transferred to DVD discs. The bulk of this collection chronicled the activities of his children as they grew.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Louise M. Conley, along with all 11 of his children from his first marriage: Michael of Manchester, ME; Anne of Princeton, NJ; Elisabeth of New York City; William of Lewisburg, PA; Sarah of Sinking Spring, PA; Robert of Madison, NJ; Patricia of Milford, OH; Eileen of Bromeswell, Suffolk, England; Mary Kathleen of Tucson, AZ; A.J. of New Canaan, CT, and Stephen of Belmont, MA, also two stepchildren: Richard Connolly of Scottsdale, AZ and Diane Connolly of Boulder, CO. In addition, there are 30 grandchildren, one step grandchild and nine great grandchildren.

There will be a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 would be appreciated.

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Lowell Francis Curran, Jr.

Lowell Francis Curran, Jr., passed away on July 1, 2018 in his Princeton home of 45 years. He went peacefully on Sunday morning two days after his 88th birthday, surrounded by the love and support of his family throughout his final days.

He was born June 29, 1930 in New York City to the late Lowell Francis and Emily Lowry Curran and lived his formative years in Jersey City, NJ. He was a proud graduate of St. Benedicts Preparatory School, The College of The Holy Cross, and Columbia Law School. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, serving as a navigator on numerous vessels during the Korean War.

He had a private law practice in Princeton for more than 50 years, was the president of the NJ Association of Trial Lawyers, and served as a Public Defender in Princeton. A lover of history and law, he was known for his ability to engage and speak at length on a wide range of subjects. A devout Catholic and product of a Jesuit education, he was a weekly presence at St. Paul Church for more than 50 years. He also raised a mixed religion family at home and regularly led the family Passover Seder.

He loved skiing and was a regular sight running and later walking his route through the neighborhood every morning. Due to his extremely rare blood type, AB negative, he was a committed, consistent blood donor.

Frank was a scout, announcer, and honorary coach for the Princeton High School wrestling team. A devoted husband and father, nothing made him prouder than the lives and accomplishments of his three boys and their loved ones. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Barbara; son and daughter-in-law James and Kristine Perle; son and daughter-in-law Rob Perle and Anjali Shah; three grandchildren Jaya, Dhiren, and Nirvan; and son Matthew Curran. Donations in his honor may be made to The College of the Holy Cross. Attn: Office of Advancement, “In Memory of, Lowell F Curran Jr. ‘52.” 1 College St., Wooster, MA, 01610 (508) 793-2423).

A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 6, at 10:45 a.m. at St. Paul Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton, followed by a burial at the church cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Kimble Funeral Home (609) 924-0018).

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Lucy Wilson Sly

Lucy Wilson Sly, 87, of Forked River, NJ died peacefully with her family by her side on July 1, 2018. Lucy was born in Charlottesville, West Virginia. She had a well-lived and well-traveled life. She loved her jobs as a teacher and a counselor. She touched many lives with her compassion and knowledge. Lucy is predeceased by her husband, John A. Sly (2004) and her son, John F. Sly (2016). She is survived by her daughters, Melissa and Abigail; her most treasured grandsons, Michael and Nathan Kuncevich; and her beloved son-from-another-mother, David Kuncevich. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org or at Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498. Cremation was private.

To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.laytons.net.