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Vol. LXII, No. 29
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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Vol. LXII, No. 29
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Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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Steve M. Slaby, 86, of Princeton, an expert in descriptive geometry, engineering graphics, and the impact of technology on society, died July 5 peacefully at home.
A member of Princeton University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science faculty for almost 40 years before retiring in 1991, he was committed to teaching his students to consider the political and social implications of technology. Keenly interested in engineering for the developing world, he contributed to reconstruction efforts in Vietnam and solar energy projects throughout the Caribbean.
Born in Detroit, he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Lawrence Institute of Technology in 1943. After serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1944 to 1945, he went on to earn his master’s degree in economics from Wayne State University in 1950.
He studied labor relations as a Fulbright fellow at the University of Oslo from 1951 to 1952 before joining the Princeton faculty in 1952 as a member of the former Department of Graphics and Engineering Drawing. He chaired the department from 1961 to 1966.
In his teaching, he extended the boundaries of the engineering disciplines. He encouraged his students to use their knowledge of engineering to tackle societal problems in a series of interdisciplinary seminars on technology and society. He also created and led an engineering graphics seminar series in which the students wrote and published four volumes on the subject.
He wrote 10 books on descriptive geometry as well as numerous articles in the field. He was a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, the scientific research society Sigma Xi, and the U.S. Committee for Scientific Cooperation with Vietnam, among other organizations. In 1966, he received the Alumni Achievement Award from the Lawrence Institute of Technology. In 1978, he created the International Society for Geometry and Graphics, which still exists today, holding conferences around the world.
Prof. Slaby was involved in the local community, serving on the Mercer County Improvement Authority Solid Waste Disposal Planning Committee, Princeton Sewer Operating Committee, Princeton International Solar Institute, and the East Trenton Neighborhood Council and Community Center.
A passionate activist throughout his life, his academic interests extended far beyond engineering, and he took pride in serving as a member of the faculty committee for the Program in African-American Studies. “Steve was instrumental in developing and increasing the legitimacy of the field of African-American studies,” said sociology professor Howard Taylor, who chaired the Program from 1973 to 1987. “He developed a serious academic interest in race as an undergraduate and had an interest in righting racial wrongs. He was one of the first to encourage the University to divest holdings in South Africa.
Cornel West, the Class of 1943 University Professor in the Center for African-American Studies, said, “Steve Slaby was my dear brother. I have a great love and respect for him. He was a strong supporter of African-American studies, and I was blessed to have him teach in the program when I was director. I loved his intelligence, his passion and his humor. He had quiet dignity.”
Predeceased in 2006 by his wife of 62 years, Elsa Karin Slaby, Prof. Slaby is survived by a daughter, Kristin Slaby of New York; a son, Stefan Slaby of New Hope, Pa.; and two grandsons.
An open house will be held in his honor on Saturday, July 26 at the Slaby residence in Princeton from noon to 5 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Heifer International at www.heifer.org.
Anne S. Stockton, 88, of Princeton, died July 8 at her home at Acorn Glen.
Born in Germantown, Pa., she had been a resident of Princeton since 1940.
Known as a pioneer, she owned and operated a successful real estate business for 30 years in Princeton and was the first female member at the Nassau Club. She was also No. 6 on the American Squash Team, a member of Pretty Brook Tennis Club since 1958, and a longtime member at the Merion Cricket Club in Pennsylvania.
Wife of the late Bayard Stockton III, she is survived by her five children, Caroline Stockton Rankin of Coeur d’Alene, Id., Robert Field Stockton of Zhuhai, China, Barbara Anne Stockton of Spring Arbor, Mich., Roberta Stockton DiMarzio of Guilford, Conn., and Martha F. Stockton of Princeton; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church. Interment will be private for family at Princeton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10006; or to the Princeton Community Tennis Program, 1330 Route 206, Skillman 08558.
Howard Francis Powers, 76, of Pennsylvania, formerly of Princeton, died July 5 in New York City after a battle with cancer.
Born in Boston, he was the son of Mary and Howard Powers of Roslindale, Mass.
He graduated from Boston College High School in 1948 at the age of 16 and began work as a draftsman and then bookkeeper before serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following the war, he utilized the GI Bill and a fulltime job to pay for his undergraduate education at Boston College, where he graduated in 1958, first in his class. He was awarded the Rev. William Devlin, S.J. Award for the highest average in theology and the Alpha Kappa Psi Scholarship Key.
Despite stating his career goal on his application as wanting to become the manager of the Boston Red Sox, he was accepted to Harvard Business School and graduated in 1960.
He married Brenda Katherine Kelley of Milton, Mass., in 1960 and the couple raised three children in Princeton. The marriage ended in divorce after 20 years.
Mr. Powers spent his entire professional career with Merck & Co. After numerous responsibilities in sales and marketing, his career culminated as a senior vice president in charge of the Specialty Chemical Division and the Agriculture/Veterinary Division. His peers and team considered him the “Lion of Rahway.”
He retired early from Merck in 1988, then entered Fordham Law School in New York City. In 1991, he earned a Juris Doctorate and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar.
At that time, he focused on his two great passions, skiing and golf. He spent ten ski seasons in Vail, Colo., and summers on Martha’s Vineyard, which he considered the most beautiful place on earth. He spent time golfing, reading through the Edgartown Public Library collection, and sharing meals and drinks with friends and family. He loved being a part of the Farm Neck Golf Club, and could be found there every morning reading the paper and having breakfast before his 9:18 tee time.
Proud of his Irish roots, he traveled to Ireland frequently. Perhaps his greatest thrill was to bring 30 of his best friends and family from around the world to attend his 70th birthday at the Park Hotel in Kenmare, Ireland.
He is survived by his three children, Howie Powers of Princeton, Jennifer Mitchell of Dedham, Mass., and Brad Powers of New Orleans, La.; eight grandchildren; and his companion, Connie Marshall of Vail, Colo.
A celebration of his life will be held this fall at Farm Neck Golf Club on Martha’s Vineyard.
Memorial donations may be made to the Farm Neck Foundation, Inc., a charitable organization, at P.O. Box 1656, Oak Bluffs, Mass. 02557.
Amy C. Tucci, nee Race, 55, of Lawrenceville, died July 11 at home surrounded by her family.
Born and raised in White Township, Warren County, N.J., she was a resident of Ewing-Lawrenceville since 1972.
She attended White Township Elementary School and was a graduate of Belvedere High School and Trenton State College.
She was the co-owner/co-director of the Princeton Academy of Martial Arts, established in 1987. She was previously employed by the State of New Jersey Department of Labor and Industry.
She was internationally known as a martial arts instructor. For many years she was one of only three women certified as a full instructor of Bruce Lee’s Art of Jeet Kune Do, having been trained by Bruce Lee’s best friend Dan Inosanto. She was well trained in the martial arts of Thai Boxing, Filipino Kali, and Indonesian Silat. She inspired and mentored many women, not only in the physical aspects of the martial arts but also the spiritual and mental aspects.
She was also an artist who painted and did pastels and drawings for years, showing her works in Germany. Throughout the years she enjoyed traveling and took many vacations in Europe. In her later years she learned how to speak German, play the cello, play the drums, and ride horses.
She is survived by her husband, Rick Tucci; her parents, Samuel R. and Jean A. Race of White Township, N.J.; a brother, William Race of White Township; and a sister, Carol Gross of Bangor, Pa.
A memorial service was held July 15 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue. Interment will be in Hazen Cemetery, Belvedere, N.J., at a time to be announced.
Memorial contributions may be made to the World Wildlife Fund at www.worldwildlife.org (888-993-9455); or to Make-A-Wish Foundation at www.wish.org (866-880-1382).
William E. (Bill) Rodweller, 87, of Princeton, died July 13 at the University Medical Center at Princeton.
Born in Princeton, he was a third generation Princetonian. He was the son of the late Elmer J. Rodweller and Ethel Perrine Rodweller of Princeton and brother of the late Raymond “Bomber” Rodweller of Bay Head.
Mr. Rodweller’s family was deeply rooted in the community, serving as public servants for three generations in Princeton Borough. His grandfather, William J. Rodweller, was a retired Princeton Borough Police Chief. His father retired as a sergeant of the Princeton Borough Police Department and was a founding father of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad. Bill continued the legacy, serving as a volunteer fireman for 65 years and a Fire Chief for Engine Company No. 1, head driver and Departmental Chief, and First Aid Volunteer and Instructor. For his services to the community, former Princeton Township Mayor Richard Woodbridge dedicated a day as William Rodweller Day.
He served as a Marine in World War II in the South Pacific, receiving the Asiatic-
Pacific Campaign Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Service Medal. After his return from military tour, he worked for New Jersey Bell Telephone for 37 years.
Predeceased by his wife, Jean E. Wagner-Rodweller, he is survived by three sons and four daughters, William E. Jr. of Mims, Fla., Mark of Lake Worth, Fla., David of Carrollton, Ohio, Patricia Smith of Robbinsville, Ursula Thompson of Navarre, Fla., and Laura Procaccino and Nancy Sorochin of Princeton; 14 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, July 17 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nicholas Procaccino Scholarship Fund, 8 Chestnut Street, Princeton 08542; to Health Care Ministry of Princeton, P.O. Box 1517, Princeton 08542; or to Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 529, Princeton 08542.
Mary E. Randolph Clark, 77, of South Brunswick, died July 7 at the University Medical Center at Princeton.
Born in Princeton, she lived in Princeton for 30 years and South Brunswick for 47 years.
She was educated at the Quarry Street Elementary School and was a graduate of Princeton High School.
She was employed by Princeton University and Johnson & Johnson. She was a member of Mt. Pisgah AME Church and the Golden Age Senior Citizen Club in South Brunswick.
She was predeceased by her mother, May Jennings Hull; her father, John Randolph; and three brothers, Johnny, Robert (“Sonny”), and Donald Randolph. She is survived by her husband, John L. Clark; a sister, Deloris Randolph; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. today, July 16 at Mt. Pisgah AME Church, 170 Witherspoon Street. Calling hours will be from 9 a.m. until time of service at the church. Interment will be in Princeton Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Hughes Funeral Home, Trenton.
Anne C. Davison, 94, of Princeton, died July 13 at the Pavilions at Forrestal.
Born in Philadelphia, she came to Princeton in 1920 and was educated in Princeton schools. In 1958, she started working at the First National Bank of Princeton (now Bank of America) on Nassau Street as a receptionist, later becoming manager of the savings department after 25 years.
She was a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post No. 76 of Princeton, a charter member of Princeton Hook and Ladder Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, and a member of Trinity Church for many years.
The wife of the late Samuel “Gus” Davison, she is survived by a son, Terry Davison of Princeton; a daughter, Nanci Pazdan of Hillsborough; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be tomorrow, July 17 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street. Burial will be private at Princeton Cemetery.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today, July 16 at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Church, 33 Mercer St., Princeton 08542; or to Homeside Hospice, 67 Walnut Avenue, Suite 205, Clark, N.J. 07066.