Sam Glucksberg

1933-2022

Sam Glucksberg died on August 29 in a New York City hospital, at the age of 89, only 24 hours after experiencing a major stroke shortly after he and his wife, Kay Deaux, returned home from a weekend visit in Connecticut.

From 1963 to 1987, Sam was a full-time resident of Princeton, where he was a professor of psychology at Princeton University. From 1987 to 2017, he split his time between Princeton and New York City, where Kay was a professor at the Graduate Center of City University of New York. In 2017, with Sam and Kay now both retired, he became a full-time resident of New York.

For Sam, the move to New York brought him full circle to the city in which he and his family settled in 1946 when they migrated from Montreal, where Sam was born in 1933. With the exception of one year at McGill University, Sam’s education was based in New York City: high school at Bronx Science, a bachelor’s degree from City College, and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from New York University. After a three-year stint at the U.S. Army Human Engineering Lab in 1960-1963 (allowing him to become a captain in a research lab rather than a private on the front lines in Vietnam), Sam accepted a position at Princeton University in 1963. That would be his first and only academic position, other than occasional sabbaticals at universities in the U.S. and abroad and a year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University (1986-87).

Sam quickly became a key member of the Princeton psychology department. Just a few years after he arrived, at the request of the University president, Sam became acting chair of the department; he later served another six years as chair from 1974-1980. During his 44 years in the department, Sam was seen by his colleagues and students as “a dream colleague” who fostered intellectual cohesion, mutual respect, and generosity. To his graduate students as well as to younger faculty, he was both mentor and mensch.

Sam’s reputation in the scientific psychology community was equally strong. He was a central figure in the field of experimental psycholinguistics, exemplified by the volume Experimental Psycholinguistics, co-written with Joseph Danks. The book was originally published in 1975 and then re-published in 2014, attesting to its continued influence on the field. Sam’s particular research focus became people’s use of figurative language. His 2001 book, Understanding Figurative Language: From Metaphors to Idioms, summarized a body of research that significantly shifted the ways in which scholars think about these topics.

In addition to producing an influential body of research, Sam was also known as an outstanding editor. He edited one of the oldest journals in psychology, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, from 1984 to 1989 and of one of the newest when he became the third editor of Psychological Science in 1999. He also did extensive reviewing work for scientific agencies of the government, serving on a National Science Foundation review committee (1985-1988) and chairing a review committee at NIMH (1979-1982).

Family, friends, and colleagues remember Sam equally well for the full life he led outside the purely academic domain. His cooking abilities were outstanding and widely appreciated as was his sense of humor. Sam had a “priceless sharp wit” and “his mastery of jokes was legendary.” He was as skilled at the poker table as he was in the research laboratory and his love of travel was a source of enjoyment throughout his life.

Sam is survived by his wife, Kay Deaux; his brother Harold Glucksberg; his three children and their spouses, Matthew Glucksberg and Harriet Stratis, Ken Glucksberg and Sue Rosengard, and Nadia Glucksberg and Steve Hamill; and his two grandchildren, Max Glucksberg and Alexander Stratis.

An event to remember and celebrate Sam’s life will be held later this year. Donations in Sam’s name can made be made to Energy Vision (energy-vision.org) or Kids in Danger (kidsindanger.org).

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Richard Benjamin Stewart

It is with great sadness that the Stewart family announces the death of Richie Stewart. He passed on Saturday, September 3, surrounded by his loving family. At the young age of 33, he fought a courageous battle with cancer until the very end.

Born Richard Benjamin Stewart in Princeton, New Jersey, he resided most of his life in Kingston before moving to Lawrenceville, NJ. Richie graduated from South Brunswick High School in 2007 as an accomplished athlete winning the GMAC Golf Championship and later earning Athlete of the Year. He pursued his bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University where he was the founder of the university’s golf club. Continuing his education at Rider University, Richie earned his master’s degree in 2012.

His priority, even at a young age, was planning for his future. Starting with detailing cars at his family’s business, the Kingston Garage, to passing his CPA exam soon after graduation, and most recently pursuing a certification to become a financial advisor. Richie married his loving wife, Lauren, on New Year’s Eve 2016 in New Hope, PA. In December of 2019, Richie became a father to their daughter, Sutton, his proudest moment of all. He easily adjusted to fatherhood loving his early morning one-on-one time with his baby girl. He hoped to pass onto Sutton his love for sports, especially golf and maybe even ice hockey, and watch her catch her first fish.

His family, wife Lauren (Hawkins) Stewart, his daughter Sutton Rae Stewart, his parents Richard W. and Dianne (Fjeldal) Stewart, and brother Ryan Stewart, wish for everyone to remember Richie as a devoted son, brother, husband, and father who had a quiet demeanor with a funny sense of humor. He was happiest being on the water, whether it was with his lifelong friends or his dad, both avid fishermen. Richie’s presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Richie’s Life will be held for close family and friends.

In lieu of flowers and charitable donations, a Go Fund Me has been set-up for Sutton’s future.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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James Custis “Denny” Crimmins

1935 – 2022

Denny was a loving and proud father and grandfather, a joyful presence to his extended family, and a lively friend and storyteller to those that knew him. He was born and raised in California by a strong grandmother, a gregarious father, and a well-traveled mother during a very different age. His family and career made him bi-coastal, calling New York City, Princeton, NJ, Montecito, CA, and Atherton, CA, home before retiring back in Princeton, NJ, where he passed on September 5 at 87 years old. He is predeceased by his son, Ethan Custis Crimmins, and survived by his four daughters, Samantha Smith, Page Seyfried, Tory Brangham, Courtney Mauer, and 13 grandchildren.

He spoke fondly of his school years and made learning a lifelong pursuit. At The Thatcher School, CA (’52) he was a prefect and soccer team captain. At Princeton University (’56)
he majored in History, American Studies, and Creative Writing, joining the Freshman Soccer and Lacrosse teams, and becoming a member of the Ivy Club. He went on to receive a Masters in Playwriting from the University of London, RADA in 2000. 

He began his career in publishing working at Curtis Publishing, Newsweek, then Harpers, and eventually becoming CEO, Founder, and Editor-in-Chief of Business Times. Business Times, in partnership with The Financial Times and The Economist, was the first morning business TV news show and was a winner of the Cable Ace Award for Best News and Public Affairs Program. 

He was an enthusiastic storyteller personally and professionally and went on to be Founder/CEO of Playback Associates, a venture backed startup focusing on documentaries for Fortune 500 companies. His first PBS series on economics called American Enterprise was reviewed highly by Fortune: “calling it successful is a little like saying Gone with the Wind was well received.” A later science film series called The Search for Solutions set a record with 400 million viewers worldwide, was a top 10 Variety grossing film, and won 26 awards including the Grand Prize at the New York Film & TV Festival. He went on to produce a documentary series under his eponymous company J.C. Crimmins & Co. called The American Promise about grassroots democracy that became part of the curriculum in 55,000 schools. He was a five-time published author, including Enterprise in the Non-Profit Sector written for The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and wrote and directed five plays performed in Edinburgh, Oxford, London, and San Francisco, specifically “Je Suis Lafette” performed at the Bohemian Grove. 

He supported the arts as Chairman of the Associates Council MOMA NY, and was a Trustee for the Contemporary Art Museum, Ensemble Theater, and The George Bernard Shaw Foundation. He remained involved in social and community endeavors as a member of the University Club in NYC and the Bohemian Club in San Francisco.

The family would like to thank all of his amazing caregivers during his later years, particularly Seray Bangura, the Princeton Windrows’ Staff, and the Maplewood Staff. His celebration of life will be held on October 16 at 11 a.m. at the Princeton Windrows.

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James Babbitt Hastings, MD

September 20, 1927 – September 4, 2022

Dr. James Babbitt Hastings died peacefully at home on September 4, 2022, surrounded by loving family.

Born on September 20, 1927, Jim spent his formative years in Montclair, NJ, getting in and out of the usual scrapes. Much of this energy was luckily directed at the Boy Scouts, where he earned his Eagle award, and as a leader at Camp Dudley in the Adirondacks. Both of these organizations fostered his lifelong love of the outdoors and remained near and dear to his heart. Graduating from high school in 1945, he attended Haverford College for a year before joining the Navy, serving two years as a radar technician on destroyers where he learned to love the sea, loud noises and vacuum tubes. Returning to Haverford, he graduated early in 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, which he immediately squandered by enrolling in the surgery
program at Columbia Presbyterian College of Physicians and Surgeons. There he met nursing student Margaret (Peg) Ross. They married in 1954 after graduation, and moved to Cooperstown, NY, where he did his internship and residency at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, training in general surgery and producing three children. At the prompting of Dr. Benjamin Wright, his good friend from Columbia, Jim joined Princeton Medical Group and moved his young family to Princeton, NJ, in 1959 and added a fourth child, much to the glee of his older sister.

He grew up sailing small boats on a lake in the Poconos but loved sailboats of every kind. He twice served as navigator in races from Newport to Bermuda, and skippered chartered sailboats with friends and family all over the Caribbean. After graduating from Haverford, he spent three summers volunteering for the Grenfell Mission, first sailing on a hospital ship along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, installing radio transmitters at remote nursing stations, and then assisting in surgery at the hospital at Saint Anthony, Newfoundland. This early experience of mission work informed the rest of his days. He was always generous with his time and resources to charitable organizations, most memorably volunteering as surgeon for the Indian Health Services in Fort Defiance, AZ, working with Navajo healers.

His tenor voice was heard in school, college, Navy, and medical school choirs, and for 50 years in the choir at Nassau Presbyterian Church, where he also served several times as elder. His love of Gilbert and Sullivan was apt to overtake him at inopportune times, but generally this was tolerated. His voice also narrates many medical texts available through Recording For the Blind and Dyslexic, where he and Peg volunteered for many years.

He designed and ran the first mass screening program for colo-rectal cancer, earning him honors as AMA Doctor of the Year in 1973 (New Jersey), and served for many years on various local, state, and national cancer task forces and committees. He served on the American Cancer Society National Task Force on Colo-rectal Cancer for 10 years, on the county medical society for 15 years, and as delegate to the Medical Society of NJ. He chaired the section of general surgery at the Medical Center at Princeton for eight years and taught as Clinical Assistant Professor at Rutgers Medical School until 1998. Princeton Medical Group had eight MDs when he started, and 23 when he retired. The Medical Center at Princeton grew from 64 MDs to more than 500 before he retired in 1994. He continued his contributions to his profession, participating in the hospital Tumor Board well after retirement.

Family and community were central to Jim and Peg’s life together. They raised their four children in Princeton, enjoying summers camping across the country, spending time (and playing a lot of ruthless bridge) at Jim’s family vacation home at Lake Paupac in the Poconos, and gathering and hiking with Peg’s extended family at Rivermede, their farm in the Adirondacks. He was very proud of his children’s accomplishments, but even more so of their love for each other. Jim and Peg consider that their lives’ greatest achievement.

He is predeceased by his parents, Evelyn (Babbitt) and Alan Hastings, and his sister Elizabeth (Betty). He is survived by his wife, Peg, and children, Nancy (and Jerry) Zatzman, Alan (and Teresa Davis), Robert (and Fritz Sabbow), and Nick (and Kim Mrazek); and grandchildren, Josh Zatzman, Sam Hastings, Julianne Hastings, Noah Hastings, Caleb Hastings, and Nina Hastings. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, November 5 at 1:30 p.m. at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jim’s memory to Princeton Medical Center Foundation (princetonhcs.org/princeton-medical-center-foundation), Learning Ally (learningally.org) formerly known as Recording For the Blind and Dyslexic, or Arm In Arm (arminarm.org). 

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Jacques P. Honoré, Jr.

Jacques P. Honoré, Jr., known to all as Jack, died on September 10, 2022 with family by his side.

Born on June 2, 1918 in Princeton, NJ, he attended Princeton Country Day School and graduated from Princeton High School. He was one of the earliest employees hired at the RCA David Sarnoff Research Center in West Windsor, NJ, and he worked there for his entire professional career, retiring in 1981 as manager of the drafting department. After retiring he lived in Sea Isle City, NJ, and later relocated to Bradenton, Florida.

He was the devoted husband of Ann Clayton Honoré and provided care for her over many years until her death in 1995. He continued to live independently in Florida until after his 100th birthday, and enjoyed spending time with friends from Spoonbill Landings Circle in the Perico Bay Club and breakfasts at Denise’s Beachway Cafe.

Always curious and informed, he followed national and world news closely, and enjoyed discussing current events while offering his century of perspective to the news of the day. He took pleasure in gardening, and there were few electronic or home repairs that he could not diagnose and repair on his own. 

Jack is survived by his daughter Susan Appelget (Charles) and son Jack Honoré, III (Regina), both of West Windsor, NJ; grandchildren Kristin Appelget of Princeton, NJ, Kevin Appelget (Lori) of West Windsor, NJ, Katie Ksenich (Mike) of New Milford, PA, Elizabeth Hughes (Justin) of Robbinsville, NJ, and Brian Honoré (Nina) of Silver Spring, MD; and great-grandchildren Gillian, Hayden, and Isabelle Appelget, Max and Ava Ksenich, Abigail and William Hughes, and Callen and Rylan Honoré. He is also survived by nephews Robert Ciasca (Cynthia) and Anthony Ciasca (Rosalie) and several great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022 at Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, 154 South Mill Road, West Windsor, NJ, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sarnoff Collection at The College of New Jersey, Green Hall, Room 215, Ewing, NJ 08628 or online at give.tcnj.edu.

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