March 15, 2023

Obituaries 3/15/2023

James Paul Begin

James Paul Begin was born on April 19, 1938 and died on March 4, 2023 at age 84.

Born in Greenville, Ohio, Jim was a resident of Princeton, NJ, for 51 years. He joined Rutgers University’s Institute of Management and Labor Relations as an Assistant Professor in 1969 after receiving a PhD in Management from Purdue University. He served as Director of the Institute of Management and Labor Relations (later the School of Management & Labor Relations) at Rutgers from 1979 until 1990 and was named a Distinguished Professor in 1982. He retired from Rutgers in 1999. Jim was an active labor arbitrator and mediator throughout his career at Rutgers University, and was elected to the National Academy of Arbitrators. He also held appointments as a visiting scholar at the University of Warwick, UK, and the Department of Economics at Princeton University.

Jim was a prolific author in the field of industrial relations and human resource management. Among his books are a text with Edwin Beal, The Practice of Collective Bargaining (Irwin, 1982, 1989), Strategic Employment Policy: An Organizational Systems Perspective (Prentice-Hall, 1991), and Dynamic Human Resources Systems: Cross National Comparisons (Walter de Gruyter, 1997). He was the founding President of the University Council of Industrial Relations and Human Resources Programs, an organization whose members are the heads of academic programs in the field of industrial relations and human resource management. At the time of his retirement, he was the School’s Director of International Programs, and developed graduate programs in human resource management with organizations in China, Singapore, and Indonesia.

After retiring from Rutgers University, Jim enjoyed visiting battlefields, particularly those of the Civil War. He visited most eastern Civil War battlefields and supported organizations that worked to preserve those sites.

Jim was active in the Princeton community, having served on the Princeton Township Zoning Board for several terms and on the Board of the Princeton Adult School as well. His favorite volunteer activity, however, was as a coach for youth baseball in Princeton and a strong supporter of the baseball teams of John Witherspoon School and Princeton High School. His son, Robert, played baseball for the Princeton Public Schools and local youth baseball, and Jim provided informal coaching support and assistance for the coaches throughout Robert’s baseball career in Princeton.

Jim was called to active duty in the U.S. Navy in 1957, and served until 1959 on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. He had a lifelong love for sailing and the sea.

In 2020, Jim and his wife, Barbara Lee, moved to Washington, D.C., to be near their son, Robert and his wife, Rachel Snyderman. In addition to Barbara, Robert, and Rachel, Jim leaves two grandchildren, Elias and Emmanuelle Begin, and his sister, Jean Capelli Lindsay of Los Alamos, NM.

Burial will be in Princeton Cemetery in Princeton, NJ, at a later date. A celebration of life will be held locally in Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Battlefield Trust.

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William Davis Humes

William Davis Humes, respected and admired for his courage, graciousness, and integrity, lived life to the fullest for 86 years until February 28, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Anne Baxter Humes; beloved sons Colin Cigarran (Jane Settles Cigarran) of Corvallis, Oregon, and Jason Cigarran (Elisabeth Browning Cigarran) of Atlanta, Georgia; and grandson Anton William Cigarran; together with friends, near and far, and students whose lives were enriched by Bill’s mentorship and teaching.

Bill was the youngest son of Edward and Doris McCaffrey Humes. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Alice Humes Umlauf. He was very close to his brothers Edward and Harry and his many nieces and nephews, who survive him.

Born in Girardville, Pennsylvania, Bill graduated from Girardville High School, and then studied mathematics at Lycoming College where he earned an A.B. degree and where he played basketball for four years. He went to graduate school at Northwestern University while in the U.S. Navy and earned MEd and EDM Math Education degrees from Rutgers University.

Bill served in the U.S. Navy after college and moved to Princeton, NJ where he taught mathematics at Princeton High School (PHS) from 1960 until his retirement in 2000. Bill also served as an Adjunct Professor at The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Community College.

In addition to teaching math at PHS, Bill hoped to coach basketball. While there was no opening at the time for a basketball coach, there was an opening as coach of the Boys Tennis Team. Bill was interested but knew nothing about tennis so the Athletic Director told him to call Eve Kraft, Director of the Princeton Tennis Program (PTP). That call changed Bill’s life. He learned tennis teaching beginners at PTP, and taught there for more than 40 years. Eve became a lifelong friend, teacher, and mentor.

Bill went on to coach the PHS Boys Tennis Team for 16 years and the Girls Tennis Team for 22 years, garnering more than 650 wins for his teams. He treasured his years coaching tennis. On the court, Bill competed, never giving up, as he did in life, winning singles and doubles tournaments. He was a member of the International Club and played on teams in Canada and the U.S. for many years.

The Director of Tennis at Bedens Brook Country Club for 20 years, Bill also taught beginner tennis at the Princeton Adult School, rigging up a court in the high school gymnasium. He introduced tennis to more than 1,300 adults over 35 years.

Bill was an active tennis volunteer at the local, county, state, and national levels. At the national level, he served on the USTA Davis Cup/Federation Cup Committee and with his wife Anne, who managed the USTA Office of the President, traveled the world attending Davis Cup and Fed Cup ties and other tennis tournaments. He volunteered at the US Open and took great delight leading tours of the venue, a role he took very seriously.

To round out his tennis experience, Bill served as a USTA Tennis Official and officiated at collegiate matches and tournaments in Middle States as well as the Women’s National Grass Courts at Marion Cricket Club.

Bill relished the outdoors. He hiked the mountains of Pennsylvania, the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, and completed 1,700 miles of the Appalachian Trail over the years. He also enjoyed fishing, particularly fly fishing, and was an active member of the Lake Solitude Club in High Point, NJ. At Pretty Brook, he taught youngsters how to fish in the Club’s pond.

He was always happy in the company of his labs, Sport, and later Callie.

Bill was elected to several Halls of Fame including Princeton High School Athletics, Mercer County Tennis, and USTA Middle States. He was awarded the prestigious USTA Eve Kraft National Community Tennis Award and the Mangan Award, Middle States’ highest award for volunteer service in the section.

Bill was a cherished member of the Pretty Brook Tennis Club for 55 years. He is recognized on Pretty Brook’s Wall of Fame for winning 10 doubles championships and in 1983, he earned the Triple Crown, winning the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles. He loved playing singles and doubles and later in life became a doubles specialist and organizer of games for members. Soft spoken and sincere, Bill will be remembered for his sportsmanship.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Princeton Tennis Program: ptp.org, 92 Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Burial will be private.

Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Bill’s life on Saturday, April 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Springdale Golf Club (1895 Clubhouse Drive) in Princeton.

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

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Marilyn Middlebrook

Marilyn Jean (Corl) Middlebrook, 92, passed away peacefully at Morris Hall Meadows in Lawrenceville, NJ, on February 25, 2023.

Marilyn was born on March 10, 1930, to Luther M. and Esther (Troxell) Corl, in State College, PA. She graduated from high school in 1948 and attended Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, where she majored in organ and voice. There, on a blind date, she met her future husband, Bob Middlebrook, who was studying engineering and architecture at Princeton University. They married in 1952 and settled in Princeton, and Bob began designing the home that was to be the heart and hearth of their family for 55 years, and the place where they would raise their two children, Carol and David.

Once her children were in school, Marilyn began her music teaching career, starting out at the Penns Neck School and then moving to the Princeton Public Schools, where she taught at Littlebrook Elementary School, Community Park School, and John Witherspoon School. She was full of energy, and she energized her students, inspiring them through song, movement, and the spoken word. Her choir programs were celebrated for their uniquely vibrant and theatrical holiday concerts.

After retiring from teaching, she began volunteering at the Princeton University Art Museum, where she served as a docent for school groups. She crafted her presentations to students with an eye toward engaging young minds and sparking their curiosity. She also volunteered at the Princeton Adult School, where she designed several poetry courses featuring a diverse array of poetic voices. She was active in the early years of The Evergreen Forum at the Princeton Senior Resource Center, and she and Bob were active members of House 4 of Community Without Walls.

Marilyn was passionate about music, culture, and the arts. She loved attending concerts and cultural events at McCarter Theatre and on the Princeton University campus, as well as during her extensive travels throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Japan, Scandinavia, and Africa. She had an active lifestyle and played tennis in the Princeton area for many years. She was an avid hiker, and she loved and appreciated the beauty of nature. She liked to play croquet and was a fierce Scrabble competitor. She created challenging scavenger hunts every Christmas, meant for her
granddaughter but enjoyed by all. She believed in and practiced lifelong learning.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 66 years, Robert Bruce Middlebrook; and many relatives and friends. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Lynn; her son, Robert David (Amy); her granddaughter, Alison; her brother-in-law, John R. Middlebrook (Marcie); and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed deeply by her family and friends.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to Princeton Senior Resource Center, 101 Poor Farm Road Bldg. B, Princeton, NJ, 08540.

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Harriet Harper Vawter

Harriet Harper Vawter lost her long battle with Alzheimer’s on February 5, 2023, at her home in Pennswood Village, Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Harriet was born in Florence, Alabama. She was a gifted musician, having become a church organist while in her teens in Florence and later in churches outside of Washington D.C. She graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class at Coffee High School in Florence, then continued her studies at the University of Alabama, earning her Degree in Education at Birmingham Southern College. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She taught Junior High School in Birmingham and remained involved in children’s education for much of her life.

Harriet met Jay Vawter in 1958 in Birmingham. They were married in Florence on August 26, 1961.

In 1962 when Jay became a professional Investment Counselor in Washington, D.C., the couple moved to Bethesda, Maryland. Harriet was an energetic volunteer with the Junior League of Washington, D.C., offering assistance at a home for unwed mothers among many other activities.

In 1977 Jay’s profession took him to New York City. The Vawters moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where they lived for nearly 40 years. It was here that Harriet found her real passion, serving as a Docent at the Princeton University Art Museum for over 30 years, two years as Chair of the Docents Association. She was active on the Friends of the Art Museum. She also served as a Trustee of Morven Museum and Garden.

She was a member of the Garden Club of Princeton, the Present Day Club, and the Pretty Brook Tennis Club. In New York City she was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club where she served on many committees. Harriet and Jay were longtime subscribers of the Metropolitan Opera for several decades and also were frequent attendees at the Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Harriet and Jay loved to travel, visiting some 70 countries, with Harriet visiting Libya during the brief time it was open.

In 2014 Harriet and Jay moved to Pennswood Village, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Newtown, Pa.

In addition to her husband, Jay, Harriet is survived by her brother John Harper and his wife Margaret of Birmingham, AL; daughters Jane Elisabeth Vawter of St. Petersburg, FL, and Nancy Vawter Jackonis and her husband Michael of Manassas, VA; and grandchildren Kasey May Gilliam and husband Andrew of Kailua, Hawaii, and Logan Jamieson Jackonis and wife Cecile of San Francisco, CA.

Memorial contributions can be made to Morven Museum and Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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Jack Galiardo

John W. Galiardo (Jack), 89, a resident of Palm Beach, FL, died March 5 from complications due to a stroke. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Jack was born to parents Joseph and Genevieve in Elizabeth, NJ, where he was raised with his younger brother Richard (all deceased). He attended the University of Maryland, where he met Joan (née DeTurk), who would later become his wife of 62 years. He graduated in 1956. After service in the Army, Jack went on to receive his degree from Columbia Law School in 1962. He began his legal career at Dewey Ballantine in NYC, and later became Asst. General Counsel with E.R. Squibb & Sons in Princeton, NJ, where he and Joan raised their children and resided for 35 years. Jack was then VP/General Counsel for Becton Dickinson & Co., a global medical technology company, where he later became Vice Chairman of the Board before retiring in 2000. He served on various boards well into his retirement,
including Project Hope, VISX, NJM Insurance, and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Jack was a generous and charismatic man, admired for his gregarious nature, quick wit, and iconic turns of phrase — which will live on for many years to come. He was a 60-year season ticket holder of the NY Giants, a world-renowned antique map collector, gardener, fisherman, voracious reader, grammarian, and consummate wordsmith. To the surprise of many, he loved being retired; he traveled extensively with Joan, spent several winters in Florence, Italy, and shared wonderful times with family and friends at their LBI beach house. And last, but certainly not least, he was a patient, kindhearted grandfather; his grandkids will fondly remember feeding “Poppa’s fish” and eating cheeseballs with him on his lap (often as he balanced a martini).

Jack is survived by his wife, Joan, and his children and their families: Richard and wife Christine, Christopher, Elizabeth and husband Mark Spencer, Gardenia Cucci, Anastasia Millar, and Jack’s grandchildren, Jack, Ellie, Clayton, Harry, Gavin, Luc, Austin Spencer, Holland Spencer, and Marc Millar, plus numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. They will all miss him enormously. Rest in peace, Big Jack.

Friends of the family are welcome to a celebration of Jack’s life on April 1 in Princeton. Contact the Kimble Funeral Home for details. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: Project Hope, Southern Ocean Medical Center Foundation (Manahawkin, NJ), or a charity of your choice.

March 8, 2023

Obituaries 3/8/2023

Anita Langsam Cohen

Anita L. Cohen was born in New York City to Phillip Langsam and Lillian Langsam nee Rosen on April 15, 1923 and grew up in Far Rockaway, NY. She passed peacefully at her home of 66 years on Littlebrook Road North in Princeton on February 23, just two months short of reaching 100.

She received her undergraduate degree at Brooklyn College and her Masters in Social Work at Western Reserve College (now Case Western Reserve University). She then worked for the Long Island College Hospital and Maimonides Hospital as a medical social worker. She married Samuel Cohen in 1947. In 1950 the couple moved to Biloxi, MS, where Sam was setting up LORAN radio navigation stations for the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. This is where their first child Carolyn was born.

After the war Anita and Sam moved to Brooklyn where their second child Michael was born. While in Brooklyn, Sam received his law degree with credentials to practice as a patent attorney. The family moved to the Princeton area where Sam began his career at RCA and their third child Alan was born. The family purchased a lot on Littlebrook Road and had a house designed by Sam built in 1957 where Anita and Sam resided till their deaths.

When the children were old enough, Anita went to work for the Lawrence Township NJ School District as a school social worker where she spent 19 years. Anita was active in many local organizations including: Princeton Senior Resource Center, Littlebrook School Grand-Pals (reading to kindergarten students), an active member of The Jewish Center Princeton, The Jewish Center Senior Drop-In Lounge, B’nai Brith (renamed Jewish Women International), Princeton University Friends of Foreign Students, and the Wonder of Word Play poetry group where she participated in meetings up until shortly before her passing. Anita was an accomplished poet and sculptor working in bronze (wax) and stone pieces both figurative and abstract.

Anita is predeceased by her husband Sam (at age 101) and her two brothers, Edwin and Mortimer Langsam. She is survived by her children, Carolyn (Chris), Michael, and Alan (Manok); grandchildren Bran (Qiyang) Mahoney and Penny (Evan) Abbaszadeh; great-grandchildren Corbin and Jack; step granddaughter Emma Donau (Colin Sinclair); step great-grandchildren Milo and Lucie; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will be having a private remembrance. Anyone wishing to honor Anita with donations may make them to Princeton Senior Resource Center, the Princeton Public Library, or The Jewish Center Princeton.

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Georgia Triantafillou

Georgia Triantafillou of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her two children after a hard-fought battle with cancer on March 5, 2023 at 72 years of age. Born in 1950 in the small town of Spercheiada in Greece, Georgia grew up in a humble house without electricity. Despite adverse conditions, she devoted herself to her studies — especially mathematics — and achieved the fourth-highest marks in all of Greece on the national qualifying exams for university admission. She went on to win a series of state scholarships which enabled her to study mathematics at the National University of Athens and to then pursue a PhD in Bonn, Germany, in the field of algebraic topology. While in Bonn, she met her future husband and father of her children, the physicist Vladimir Visnjic.

Georgia came to America in the ’70s for her first postdoc at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. During her time there, she developed a love for Princeton as well as friendships that have lasted to this day. While her academic career would take her to numerous universities around the U.S. and Europe, she eventually settled down permanently in Princeton in 1996 with her family. 

As a mathematician, Georgia published many influential papers in the field of algebraic topology and presented her original research at numerous international conferences. In 1990, she became the first woman in Greece to ever be elected full Professor of Mathematics at the National University of Athens. For the past few decades, she served as Professor of Mathematics at Temple University, where she was an exceedingly popular instructor whose excellence and effectiveness in teaching difficult subjects has been recognized through teaching awards. Her students often joked that “she made sense out of nonsense.”

Georgia was a committed member of the Greek church in Hamilton and a pillar of the local Greek community. She spearheaded and co-founded a bilingual Greek-English preschool, where she served pro bono as director for several years for the good of the children and the community. She also served for many years as president of the organization Hellenic Vision, which promoted Hellenic culture through exhibits, lectures, and concerts. 

She was the matriarch of a highly academic family, with both children receiving PhDs from Princeton University. Her whole life was centered around education for all ages, including her grandchildren, who were her stars in the last few years.

She is survived by her husband Vladimir Visnjic, her two children Katerina and Vanya (“Jack”), and four granddaughters, all of whom adore her and will carry her memory with them forever. 

At her request, the funeral will take place in her hometown in Greece. A small private viewing will be held at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton on Wednesday, March 8. 

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Mitzi Marks

Mitzi Marks passed away peacefully in the early hours of March 3, 2023 in Princeton, N.J. Born Millicent Rose Alter to Esther and Harry Alter in Chicago, Ill, on February 8, 1925. They named her Mitzi as Millicent seemed like such a big name for a baby. She attended Endicott Jr. College before marrying M. Morton Goldenberg of Philadelphia in 1949. She had three sons, Tony Goldenberg of Port Townsend, Wash.; Todd Alter Goldenberg of North Berwick, Me.; and Tyler James Goldenberg of West Palm Beach, Fla.

Sometime in the 1950s Mitzi was awarded a patent for a device that would enable use of the whole bottle of nail polish with no waste. A leading cosmetic company liked the device but did not want all the polish at the bottom of the jar to be accessible.

In around 1959 after she and Morton divorced, Mitzi remarried Joseph H. Markowitz, an attorney in Trenton and moved to Princeton, N.J.

In Princeton, where she remained the rest of her life, she volunteered with Princeton Hospital as a candy striper, served as a counselor at Planned Parenthood, and also volunteered for the Trenton Historical Museum. In the 1960s she gave haircuts to anyone who wanted them and donated money to Princeton Hospital.

She worked as an Interior Design Consultant through the 1980s and 1990s. Mitzi was a member of The Greenacres Country Club and The Present Day Club. Mitzi’s nephew, Jonathan Alter, and her grandniece, Charlotte Alter, have addressed the Present Day Club.

Mitzi was a lifelong fan of tennis and played well into middle age. She always said, “There’s nothing better than tennis on a beautiful day, followed by a wonderful lunch.”

Mitzi was preceded in death by her parents, both of her husbands, and her beloved brother James Alter of Chicago. She is survived by her three sons, and her faithful, loyal stepson Josh (Stacy) Markowitz of Princeton.

Her family and friends will miss talking to her on the phone and the benefits of her wise counsel.

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Edwin W. Wislar

Edwin W. Wislar, 95, of Princeton passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Penn Medicine of Plainsboro, NJ.

Edwin was born in Trenton, NJ. He attended and boarded at the Lawrenceville School of Lawrenceville, NJ, lettering in baseball and soccer, participating in the glee club, and was a member of the Woodhull House. He then attended and graduated from Yale University before joining the Marine Corps and serving in the Korean War as a Captain, where he was based on the battleship Iowa. He was a recon officer sighting enemy installations in North Korea from helicopters.

Ed married his wife Mary Elizabeth Elliott on September 15, 1957 and they had six children together. Mary passed in 1987. He had a successful career in the corporate insurance industry. After his retirement he stayed active continuing to invest in the private and public equity markets.

An avid sportsman, Ed enjoyed fly fishing throughout the U.S., Canada, and Argentina as well as small bird hunting and sailing with his friends and family. He was also a passionate golfer and founding member of the Bedens Brook Club of Skillman, NJ. He could often be found casting weekend afternoons on the Ken Lockwood Gorge in Califon, NJ, his favorite local stretch of stream, and it was here that Mary went into Labor with her first child Allison.

He was dedicated to coaching his sons’ hockey teams and attending his daughters’ events. He supported many foundations and institutions including serving on the Board of The Chapin School of Princeton, further involvement with the Newgrange School, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, and the Lawrenceville School.

Ed remarried Brenda Kelley in 1989 and they spent his remaining years in Princeton.

He was known by his grandchildren as “Pop Pop” and found joy having them visit, especially swimming in the family pool. At the end of each visit, his grandchildren would wave and yell out of open car windows at the top of their lungs to his delight, “Bye! See you soon Pop Pop!”

Predeceased by his parents George R. and Marion (Garston) Wislar of Amwell, NJ, and a brother George R. Wislar of Atlanta, GA.

He is survived by his wife Brenda K. Wislar; four sons and two daughters Elliott W. Wislar, George and Eileen Wislar, Adam (Tad) R. Wislar, John B. Wislar, Allison E. Wislar, Margaret E. Wislar; 11 grandchildren E.J., Mackenzie, Wes, Elliott, Matt, Mary, Jack, Lexi, Charlie, Meredith, Phoebe; and great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Ed’s Life will be announced in the near future.

In lieu of flowers or gifts please donate to The Mary Elliott Wislar Memorial Scholarship Foundation of Princeton, administered by The Princeton Community Foundation.

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

March 1, 2023

3/1/2023 Obituaries

Alba T. Cuomo

Alba Taliercio Cuomo of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the care of her loved ones after a short illness on February 23, 2023 at 93 years young. Born in 1929, Alba grew up with four brothers in the picturesque seaside town of Sorrento, Italy. After marrying her late husband Frank in Italy, she crossed the Atlantic by ship in 1959 and came to Princeton to raise her family.

Alba enjoyed spending summers down the shore with extended family, traveling, watching her Italian television soap operas, and encouraging her family to eat more of her home-cooked meals and cookies. She also loved going on walks, spending time with friends, and was a devout Catholic of St. Paul’s Parish. Above all she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who always put the needs of her family above her own. Her unrelenting love and care for them will be eternally remembered deep in their hearts. Alba enjoyed serving the students at the Princeton Regional School for 27 years, always with a smile and a snack to make their day.

Alba is predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Frank; parents, Adele and Pasquale Taliercio; brothers Giovanni, Antonio, and Guido. Alba is survived by her brother, Angelo, in Sorrento, Italy; daughter, Teresa Pietrefesa and husband Craig of South Brunswick, NJ, and her son Vince and his wife Lisa of Hamilton, NJ. She was the best Nonna to Michael Cuomo and his wife Savannah of Marlton, NJ, Christopher Cuomo of Hamilton, and Eric Pietrefesa of South Brunswick. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and her husband, Clara and Silvio Toto, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at St. Paul’s Church 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the mass at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Paul’s Parish in Princeton, NJ, in Alba’s remembrance.

Alba’s family and friends would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to her children — Teresa and Vince — who have spent the last two months caring for Alba by her side and making her comfortable.

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

February 22, 2023

Obituaries 2/22/2023

Brooks Dyer

Brooks Dyer, 85, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully at HarborChase of Princeton assisted living on February 12, 2023 with his loving wife Teena at his side. He was born in 1937 to Virginia and Bill Dyer in St. Louis, MO, and was a natural athlete with a passion for adventure.

After graduating from St. Louis Country Day School, he was nearly recruited to play baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He decided to follow his mother’s advice and he went on to study geology and play football at Stanford University. He loved skiing. He took a year off from college and moved to Aspen, CO, where he worked as a ski instructor. 

After his college graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He became an A-4 Air Combat Tactics Instructor, and he earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Brooks was extremely well respected as a pilot and leader by his fellow Marines. After he left active duty, he continued to serve as a reservist for many years.

He flew as a commercial pilot for American Airlines for 30 years. He was a Captain, and he flew to many beautiful locations around the globe before he retired from AA in 1995. Upon his retirement, he and Teena continued to travel with the Grey Eagles. Brooks also loved riding on his classic white BMW motorcycle. He purchased a black BMW with a sidecar after he met his wife Teena, and they cruised up and down the East Coast together.   

Brooks became physically disabled when he was in his late 50s. He faced his health challenges with grace, courage, strength, and a sense of humor. He played wheelchair tennis. He and Teena went on cruises together. He drove his scooter around his adopted hometown of Jupiter, Florida. He loved watching the Cardinals’ spring training every year.

Brooks loved his family fiercely. He was happiest when seated next to Teena at family gatherings surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents Virginia and Bill Dyer, his former wife Margaret Dyer-Weissman nee Bellis, and his brothers Frank Dyer and William Dyer Jr.  He is survived by his wife, Teena Cahill; his six children David Dyer, Matthew Dyer, Jennifer “Christy” Dyer Thrash, Andrew Cahill, James  “J.C.” Cahill, and Mia Cahill; and 12 grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on February 18, 2023 at Kimble Funeral Home, One Hamilton Avenue, Princeton NJ 08542. Burial followed at Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project or Semper Fi Fund are appreciated.

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Elena “Elly” Petronio

Elly Petronio, nee Elena Unghy, was born in Croatia (formerly known as Fiume, Italy) in 1935. Her family later emigrated to Genoa, Italy, where she met and married her husband, Giorgio. When Giorgio was elevated to a senior management position at Johnson & Johnson in 1979, they moved to the United States and settled in Princeton. 

Elly was a frequent traveler to Europe, particularly Italy, and frequently served as a tour guide in Italy for Friends of the Princeton University Art Museum. She was an active bridge player and was, until recent years, an avid tennis player and a member of the Pretty Brook Tennis Club.

Elly was a longtime benefactor of the Institute for Advanced Studies and the New Jersey Symphony and was a generous contributor to various other Princeton charities.

Elly was a devoted member of the Stony Brook Garden Club and established the Elly and Giorgio Stony Brook Environmental Award.  She had also been a long-time member of the Nassau Club.

Elly was predeceased by her husband, Giorgio in 2004 and her parents Zlata (Racky) and Zolten R. Unghy.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023 at St. Charles Borromeo, 47 Skillman Road, Skillman, NJ 08558. Burial of ashes will follow in Princeton Cemetery.

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

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David H. Brown, Sr.

David H. Brown, Sr., of Yardley, PA, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at home. He was 92 years old. David was born on July 12, 1930 in Manhattan, New York, to the late Henry Harrison Brown and the late Helen (née Wisherd) Brown. He was the husband to Jeannette Denison (née Taylor) Brown who survives him.

David loved music, sailing, his beautiful rhododendron garden, Princeton University, and a good party.

David graduated from Princeton University in 1953 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. David served in the U.S. Army at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah and was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked for various oil and gas companies including Getty Oil and the Atlantic Richfield Company. David later earned an MBA from the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Operations Research. He worked as an OR engineer and as an analyst at Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. He started his own business, Princeton Energy Partners, which he led for 20 years until his retirement.

A dedicated Princetonian, David served as Vice President of his class for a number of years. David often said his education at Princeton changed his life — and especially a class in musical appreciation which ignited a lifelong love affair with the arts.

In retirement, David combined his analytical skills with his passion for music. He was a founding member of The Princeton Festival. His analytical skills, astute tracking of fiscal results and success with grant writing were key contributions to the festival’s success. He was both a steward of the arts as a trustee and an enthusiastic patron of the arts over the course of his life. He especially loved opera and attended thousands of performances, traveling to music and opera festivals in the U.S. and Europe with his beloved wife of 56 years, Jean.

David learned to sail at summer camp and this interest became a lifelong joy. He raced a Lightning and later a Sandpiper catboat on Barnegat Bay as a member of the Mantoloking Yacht Club. He captained bare boat charter sailboats along with family and friends, sailing to explore the Island of Tonga, BVI, Greece, Croatia, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and in the Chesapeake Bay.

Active and engaged to the end of his life, David served as a member of the Princeton Festival Advisory group which guided the 2021 merger of The Princeton Festival with the Princeton Symphony.

David was the father to Shawn Brown m. John McGrath; David H. Brown, Jr.; Elizabeth Denison Brown m. Hartmann Schoebel; and was the grandfather to Amy Louise Womeldorf, Finnegan Schoebel, and Kai Schoebel. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Brian Michael Womeldorf.

The family will hold a memorial gathering to honor David in early May when the rhododendrons and trees that he planted and tended with devotion will be at their most glorious. It is a time of year that he cherished at his home.

Contributions may be made in David’s honor to The Princeton Festival c/o The Princeton Symphony Orchestra.

Private services are entrusted to Swartz-Givnish Life Celebration Home, (215) 968-3891.

February 15, 2023

Obituaries 2/15/2023

Beautiful, Graceful, Loving, Caring — A Blessed Icon for All Who Knew Her.

Margaret Lydia Faith Hill

“Maggie”

February 28, 1939–September 13, 2022

Please join us in celebrating our dearest Maggie’s

life with a memorial service and reception.

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Service at 1 p.m.; Reception at 2 p.m.

All Saints’ Church

16 All Saints’ Road

Princeton, NJ 08540

With Love,

Colin and Family

hillcolin@mac.com ♦ (609) 924-3633

RSVP regrets.

———

Chikako Shimura

Chikako Shimura, 90, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 with her son by her side. Chikako was born on January 5, 1933 in Tokyo, Japan. She grew up as the eldest of three children.

She met her husband, Goro, while working at the University of Tokyo and, with their daughter, they moved to Princeton in 1962. Over the years, her husband’s work took them around the world. She will be remembered for serving as an early supporter to help establish the Princeton Community Japanese Language School. Chikako excelled in a diverse range of crafts, including quilting, embroidery, crocheting, and dressmaking. As a member of the YWCA Artisans Guild, she enjoyed her time leading classes on how to knit.

In the summers, Chikako loved spending time with her family at their mountain home in Nagano, Japan, and enjoyed the many hiking trails in the area. She will be remembered as a great music lover and delighted in the many opportunities to attend the Metropolitan Opera and performances at McCarter.

Chikako is survived by her daughter, Tomoko, and her son, Haru. She was predeceased by her husband, Goro. At her request there will be no service. 

———

Robert Kremer Hoke

R. Kremer Hoke died January 13 at an assisted living facility near Princeton, N.J., with complications from COPD and congestive heart failure. He was 75 years old and had lived most of his life in New York City, working at HBO and specializing in video post-production. He retired from HBO in the early 2000s and moved to Kingston, N.J., not far from where his mother lived in Princeton. Kremer traveled frequently in Europe and once to India.

Kremer was the second son of Robert Lee Hoke and Ellen Hull Neff Hoke, and grew up in Williamsburg, Va., and Cranbury, N.J.

He is survived by his brothers, William Neff Hoke of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and John Carter Vance Hoke of Glen Allen, Va., and two nieces and two nephews.

He will be buried next to his mother in Abingdon, Va., with a graveside service at 10:30 a.m. on April 1, 2023, in Knollkreg Cemetery.

For details, contact Kimble Funeral Home at (609) 924-0018 or TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Carolyn Ann Brown

Carolyn Ann Brown, 76, of Princeton, NJ, passed away on February 2, 2023, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center. Carolyn was born in London on March 1, 1946, to George Whittington Moorman and G. Lillian Hyde Moorman. Her father served in the Royal Air Force during virtually all of World War II, primarily in North Africa and the Middle East.

Carolyn grew up in the vicinity of the Royal Borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey, England. She worked for The Daily Mail newspaper, Xerox, and Heathrow International Airport, and also spent time as a London travel guide. She traveled widely and lived in San Francisco, CA; Montreal, Canada; Lagos, Nigeria; and Washington, D.C. before settling in Princeton with her husband and her children. She became active in school committees and activities. A skilled craftswoman, she taught knitting at local yarn shops and upholstering at the Princeton Adult School. She deeply enjoyed her grandchildren, her dogs, her gardens, and her summer home in Groton Long Point, Connecticut, where she particularly delighted in the adjacent salt marsh and its ospreys and other waterfowl. 

Carolyn had a true British zest for exploration and adventure. Name a location, especially in West, North, or East Africa, and chances are that she had been there and had fascinating stories to tell about it, whether driving across the Sahara to Timbuktu, not quite avoiding a massive oil tanker while sailboat racing in Lagos Harbor, or cruising from Luxor to Aswan and unexpectedly discovering the room where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile. She could vividly describe her experiences in the old medieval city of Stone Town, Zanzibar, and her time on safari in the Serengeti. Indeed, to enjoy a glass of good port and better conversation with Carolyn was to glimpse a fascinating life lived with warmth, wit, a spirit of adventure, and a uniquely English brand of good-natured fortitude. 

Carolyn will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She leaves behind her husband, retired federal judge Garrett E. Brown, Jr.; her daughters Rebecca Chloe Alexia Powling of Groton Long Point, CT, and Victoria Keller Brown of Laurel Springs, NJ; her son Garrett Edward George Brown, and his wife Christine Erin Brown of Hopewell, NJ, and their four children, Charlotte Emma Brown, Claire Elizabeth Brown, Garrett William George Brown, and Luke Harrison Brown.

Carolyn was a loving and engaged advocate of all creatures. In lieu of flowers, she would welcome donations in her memory to animal charities such as Second Chance Rescue, Red Hook Dog Rescue, SAVE, The Wildlife Center, or to another animal charity of your choice. The family plans to arrange a memorial gathering for Carolyn at a later time.

Extend condolences and share remembrances at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Lucy Anne Sharp Newman

Lucy Anne Sharp Newman, 88, of Skillman, NJ, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center of Plainsboro, NJ.

Lucy Anne was born in Somerville, New Jersey, on March 16, 1934. She was born the oldest of four children and is predeceased by her parents, John Vincent and Mabel Matilda Sharp.

As the independent person she was, when she was told there was only enough money to send the only boy of four to college, Lucy Anne decided to do it herself. She applied and got into New Jersey State Teachers College at Trenton, now known as The College of New Jersey. She also got a job to pay for her education in the science and math departments as an assistant, and also taught piano. Lucy Anne made sure she got an education, as that was most important to her. She spent much of her career prior to her last child being born, serving as a math and science teacher in Dover, Los Angeles, and Cleveland.

Upon making a family move to Princeton, NJ, back in 1963, the family moved to Lawrenceville for 15 years and then to her cherished home “Woodstream” in Skillman, NJ. From there, all three Newman girls attended Stuart Country Day of the Sacred Heart, known for our ringlets and matching outfits. Lucy Anne got involved in anything that involved her three girls and giving back to her community. She served as part of the First Friday group at Stuart, her cherished book club, a member of the Princeton Present Day Club, a member of the Trenton and Princeton Garden Clubs, and participated in fundraising for the Princeton Symphony, McCarter Theatre, Princeton Ballet, Morven, and Trinity Counseling. She became an avid tennis and paddle player later in life at the Bedens Brook and Pretty Brook Country Clubs, enjoying all that athletics had to offer. However, her pride remained in her devotion to her faith and her 30 years of volunteer work at the Princeton Hospital on the oncology floor. Lucy Anne relished the opportunity to be compassionate to others in time of need and to help the families in any way possible.

At home Lucy Anne loved her flowers, woods, and her birds. Her home gave her great peace and solace, even in the toughest of times. Loved by her three children and her three “little butterflies” grandchildren as she named them, she shared in all activities from athletic games to ballet performances at McCarter, to birthdays and christenings and sharing her love of music and Parcheesi with her grandchildren. She brought an energetic twinkle and bright smile to all, even to the end.

She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Andrea Collette Newman and Jeffrey Patterson, Michele Laureen Newman, Pierrette Alyssa and Rod Eric Bradshaw, and her three grandchildren, Madison Alyssa Bradshaw, Emerson Alyssa Bradshaw, and Jamison Alyssa Bradshaw. 

A service of remembrance will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Hands Together at tinyurl.com/LucyAnneNewmanHT or a charity of your choice. 

Please join us after for a celebratory reception at the Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street, Princeton.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mather Hodge Funeral Home.

February 8, 2023

Obituaries 2/8/2023

Thomas Burchard Arnold

Thomas Burchard Arnold passed away unexpectedly on Monday, October 24, 2022, after sustaining injuries from a bicycle fall. He was 70.

Born February 12, 1952, in Bronxville, NY, Tom spent his childhood in Old Greenwich, CT, and attended Greenwich Country Day School. He studied at the Pomfret School and completed a postgraduate year abroad at Haileybury in Hertford, England. After graduating from Kenyon College in Ohio, Tom moved to New York City to work in advertising. In 1980, Tom married Kathleen Reilly and they moved to Princeton, NJ, in 1982 to raise a family. Their marriage later ended in divorce. Tom continued to work in Manhattan for many years until the commute became tiresome. He then spent several years managing the beloved local Halo Farm and Halo Pub ice cream shops. It was during this time that he met Martha Bolster and after marrying in 2001, the couple settled in Ewing, NJ.

Tom will be remembered for his love of adventure. After several formative canoe camping trips in Maine in his adolescence, Tom became an avid outdoorsman — enjoying kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, and jogging. Tom’s interests took him on a NOLS expedition in 2004 in the Wind River Valley of Wyoming to develop his wilderness and outdoor education and leadership skills. Tom found solace in these pursuits. Through the Bolster family, Tom became acquainted with Camp Dudley in Westport, NY, and spent several summers sharing his love of adventure with campers there and frequently leading overnight hiking trips. He had a unique ability to connect effortlessly with the young and the old. Later he worked at Project U.S.E., Outward Bound, and the Princeton-Blairstown Center, where he was considered an integral part of their outdoor education staff and continued to work during his retirement. Of note, Tom ran 10 marathons — his first and fastest (3 hours and 15 minutes!) was Pittsburgh shortly after his 40th birthday — including the Philadelphia Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.

Tom was known for being intellectually curious, a prolific reader of books, and interested in music of many genres — from jazz to funk. He especially loved live music and could always be counted on to go to a concert whether it was Phish’s annual New Year’s Eve gig, South by Southwest, or the Austin City Limits festival. He was a source of kindness, creativity, gentility, wisdom, and affability.

Tom will be greatly missed by his loving wife Martha Bolster, his daughter Lucy Arnold Gore with former spouse Kathleen Arnold, Lucy’s husband Nick, Tom’s beloved grandchildren Stella and Connor Gore (who adored their “Grampy”), half-sisters Jennifer Arnold and Stephanie Arnold Pacheco, the entire Bolster family, as well as his many great friends. Tom is predeceased by his parents, Stuart Arnold and Ann Reynolds.

A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held in his honor in 2023. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests contributions be made in his name to Princeton-Blairstown Center.

———

James David Peters, Sr.

James David Peters, Sr., of Princeton, died on February 5, 2023, of pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Deborah Cabral Peters; their children Courtney Peters-Manning and her husband Tomas Manning and James David (JD) Peters, Jr., and his wife Meghan Boswell Peters; grandsons Seamus Manning, Conor Manning, Liam Peters, and Rory Peters; and his beloved Springer Spaniel, Tucker. He is also survived by the entire Cambridge School family.

Jim was born on August 20, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was raised in Quincy, Mass., and met Deborah in 1963 when they were both 15 years old. Their great love story started that day and grew deeper every day until his death. His 30-year career in business took the family through the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Princeton in 1995 to become the President & CEO of E&B Marine, and then Utrecht Art Supplies.

Jim and Deborah founded the Cambridge School in Pennington in 2001. Together, they changed the lives of countless children with dyslexia and other learning differences, giving them the opportunity to learn the way their brains work best and reach their full potential. Jim managed the school’s finances, while Deborah developed the curriculum and oversaw all of the academics. Though Jim was much more than that at the school. He was a constant presence in the hallways, even after he passed on the day-to-day running of the business office to his daughter Courtney. He was a mentor and friend to all of the students, especially the older boys, who often could be seen having lunch on the floor of his office, talking about sports and respect and life.

Jim was most proud, however, of his family. He was more than just a Husband, Dad, and Grandpa. He was the best Husband, Dad, and Grandpa. He spent countless hours throwing the ball around, playing hoops in the driveway, setting up trains and trucks and super heroes, captaining his boat with his co-captain grandsons, and listening. He will be profoundly missed.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. James Church in Pennington, New Jersey, on Thursday, February 9 at 10 a.m. Viewing will be at Wilson Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ, on Wednesday, February 8 from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HomeFront or the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

———

Valerie Thomas Hartshorne

Valerie Thomas Hartshorne died on Monday, January 30, 2023 at the age of 91. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, just as she would have wanted.

Valerie was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on August 25, 1931 and raised in Locust, N.J. She graduated from Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT., in 1949 and studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York City from 1949-1950.

In 1960 Valerie and her husband Nat moved to Blawenburg, N.J., with three of their four children and set up home in the 200-year-old Blawenburg Tavern. Their fourth child, Caroline, was born the following spring.

After settling in New Jersey Valerie devoted herself to being a loving mother, eventually a grandmother, and later in life a great-grandmother as well as an entrepreneur and active community member. Among her accomplishments were establishing and running, with her partner Frad Young, Soupe du Jour, a popular lunch restaurant in Hopewell, N.J. Soupe du Jour was a successful lunch spot infused with Valerie’s and Frad’s cooking talents as well as their ability to nurture their customers. 

At home, Valerie was a beacon of light for her family and their many friends. Her house was welcoming and safe, and there was always something tasty cooking on the stove.

Valerie was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous as well as a longtime volunteer of Planned Parenthood. She was an avid gardener, a lover of animals, and a masterful cook. She will be dearly missed.

Valerie is survived by her children: Anne Allen and partner John George of Blawenburg, N.J.; Jennifer Hartshorne and husband Steve Gilbert of Princeton, N.J.; Max Hartshorne of South Deerfield, Mass.; and Caroline Hartshorne of Blawenburg, N.J. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Kate Hartshorne, Chelsea Allen, James Allen, Sam Hartshorne, Simon Allen, Rosalie Bush, Tom Hartshorne, Jackson Bush, and Greta Bush, along with two great-grandchildren: Nathan and Sofie Cosme.

In lieu of flowers, the Hartshorne family asks that donations be made to Planned Parenthood.

A memorial service is planned for spring 2023. Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, Pennington. Condolences are welcome at wilsonapple.com.

———

Robert Stanbrough Hillas

Robert Stanbrough Hillas passed away from sudden cardiac arrest on the morning of January 21, 2023, at his home in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Rob was born on November 22, 1948, in Needham, Massachusetts. He grew up in a tight-knit family as the third of four children. Rob’s childhood took him from Massachusetts to Kentucky to Illinois, with a few stops in between, each place a new adventure for him and his siblings. As a child, Rob was both athletic and intelligent, with a great sense of humor and a knack for a clever turn of phrase.

Rob showed his aptitude early, earning high marks at Glenbrook South High School. He subsequently enrolled at Dartmouth College, where he earned commendations in subjects as varied as mathematics, geography, astronomy, and philosophy. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1970 with a degree in mathematics, summa cum laude. During his college summers, Rob manned the docks as a counselor at nearby Camp Tecumseh, an all-boys, all-athletics sports camp on Lake Winnipesaukee. Plaques of his swimming records still adorn the Tecumseh dining hall today.

After graduating from Dartmouth, Rob went to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he simultaneously became an MBA with honors and a second lieutenant in the Army. He expected to deploy to Southeast Asia at graduation. Instead, the war wound down, and he joined E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co. in New York City during the early years of the newly institutionalized venture capital industry. As he wrote, “For me personally, the business has proved constantly challenging and ever-changing. In particular, entrepreneurs are a rare breed of homo sapiens and working with them tends to be exhilarating and exasperating, frequently simultaneously.”

Rob spent over 40 years as a venture capitalist and business leader. He rose through the ranks at Warburg Pincus, before leaving to become a General Partner at DSV Partners from 1981 to 1992. He returned to Warburg Pincus in 1993 as a Managing Director, occasioning an announcement in the Wall Street Journal. Following his second interval at Warburg, Rob became the Chief Executive Officer of Envirogen, Inc., where he oversaw the company’s sale to Shaw E&I. Rob served on numerous Boards of Directors during his years in business, including ATMI, U.S. Filter, and Roll & Hill.

It was at Warburg where Rob met Cynthia. Together, they raised four children, who had the rare privilege of a hardworking yet ever-present father. He taught his kids to swim, coached soccer, made Sunday morning breakfasts, and attended the countless sporting events occasioned by four active kids. He was a patient teacher, willingly spending weekends explaining accounting and math.

Rob loved nothing more than family gatherings. He hosted a large annual Thanksgiving, waking up early to roast three turkeys for his 50+ family members, spearheading the family football game, and leading the post-game charge to an afternoon spread of pie and tea sandwiches.

He was a steadfast contributor to his community. Rob invested significant time and effort into his commitments, which included the Friends Executive Committee of The Institute for Advanced Study, The Watershed Institute, and the Princeton Public School Board. He was a longtime contributor to many organizations and educational institutions, including the Princeton Symphony, the Conservation Fund, Oxfam America, Dartmouth College, Stanford University, and Camp Tecumseh.

A voracious learner, Rob audited courses at Princeton University on subjects including biochemistry, computer science, and contemporary Chinese politics. He had an endless stack of reading material on his bedside table, including contemporary fiction, books on the Federal Reserve and World War II, and carefully catalogued copies of The Economist.

Never content to be anything other than active, he was a lifelong strong athlete. Starting as a young swimmer, he progressed to the full suite of endurance sports, including running, hiking, and cycling. He kept meticulous track of his running times, and he strove for a personal best each time he ran out the door. In 2019, at the age of 70, he embarked on a 21-mile hike with his kids. Rob served as a very quick rabbit for the kids — post-hike, it emerged that the fastest segments were during his lead.

Rob was a person of integrity. He was a calm, measured man who listened before he spoke and thought before forming opinions. He believed in fairness, effort, and kindness. He did things the correct way, not the easy way. He was keenly aware of the positive impact he could have on those around him, which made others want to hold themselves to their own highest standard in return.

He maintained a cheerfully pragmatic approach to life. As he would say, “the best laid plans don’t always turn out to be so well laid.”

Rob loved tracking the weather, logistics, economic cycles, wastewater management, and alas, the Chicago Bears. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Cynthia Hillas; son Robert Stanbrough Hillas, Jr. (Camden Hillas); daughter Alison Hillas Beyer (Jonathan Beyer); daughter Mary Hillas Eng (Jeffrey Eng); son Timothy Honn Hillas (Laura Bass); granddaughter Peregrine Deane Hillas; granddaughter Cynthia Rose Beyer; grandson Robert Stanbrough Hillas III; brother Roland Hillas III (Chuenchit Hillas); sister Wendy Miller; brother James Hillas (Arlene Hillas); and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at the Institute for Advanced Study, Wolfensohn Hall, on February 11 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Institute for Advanced Study, The Robert S. Hillas Fund for Women and Mathematics.

———

In Memory of

Diane Sherman-Levine

Diane passed away in Seattle on February 6, 2022 at the age of 93. She was a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College where she studied political science and was a life-long, self-described “political junkie.” She resided in Massachusetts with her husband Matthew Sherman and children, Jane, Lisa, and Adam, later living in Oregon and Pennsylvania. She and Matt lived in Cyprus at one time and traveled extensively.

In her early career she wrote numerous children’s books and nature and science articles. Later, she developed her considerable talents as a healer and spiritual teacher, helping many.

After her husband’s death she married Robert Levine of Princeton, and resided there for many years. They also traveled extensively, abroad and in the U.S., especially to pursue their interest as collectors of Fine Art Glass.

Along with her children, she leaves behind four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and many close friends.

She is loved and missed.

February 1, 2023

Obituaries 2/1/2023

Lee Bienkowski

Lee Bienkowski, 62, of St. Augustine, FL, died on December 29, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer. Lee, born in Boston, grew up in Princeton and graduated from Bryn Mawr College — but her true  love was always the South. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky where she became a lifelong supporter of the Volunteers and Wildcats.

With her academic credentials, Lee entered the world of environmental consulting, centered in South Carolina and Florida, seeking to restore development-impacted sites to their natural state.

To those who knew her, Lee seemed to embody strength — physically, mentally, emotionally, and vocally. She also had strong beliefs and strong interests: from swords to canons, cats to horses, writing to drawing, tiki to reenacting the Revolutionary War, beach combing to global adventure travel. Lee embraced them all fearlessly and with a child-like enthusiasm.

She certainly believed in living life to the fullest. While Lee’s life was tragically cut short, she is one of the very few who pursues every interest with everything she had, squeezing every last drop of experience from her latest interest, and then sharing her knowledge generously and without judgement. Over decades, and across her wide range of family and friends, Lee never missed sending a birthday card.

Lee was predeceased by her beloved father, George, and is survived by her husband, Richard Coyle; mother, Cindy Clark; brothers Jay, Drew, and Mark; Aunt Dix; and seven nieces and nephews. She is greatly missed.

Those who would like to contribute to her memory may send donations to the Sierra Club and to the Society of Concerned Scientists.

———

Joseph Sands Wandelt

Joseph Sands Wandelt of Princeton, 72, passed away on December 14, 2022. He was born March 3, 1950 to Suzette and Fred Wandelt, who also rest in Princeton, and is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Wendy, and his beloved daughter, Whitney.

Known as “Sandy” to his loved ones and coworkers, Sandy served the greater Princeton and Philadelphia areas. He and Wendy were the Vice President and President respectively of the family’s own company, Gipsy Horse — a well-known retailer that expanded throughout the region and made them a strong presence in the community. Sandy was also a VP at Corestates and Sun National banks, as well as a senior executive for Nickle Electric in Delaware.

Sandy was a very active member of the Big Brothers community as well as participating in executive coaching. He helped several families during his time with Big Brothers. He is fondly remembered by those he coached in helping end toxic cultures within their corporate environments. 

Sandy’s daughter, Whitney, remembers him as a man of wit, humor, intelligence, and compassion; revered for his empathy, he was a man committed to guiding others in the right direction. 

In lieu of flowers and cards, please make a donation in his name to the Dementia Society of America.

January 25, 2023

Obituaries 1/25/2023

Casey Charles Huckel

Casey Charles Huckel of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away on January 16, 2023. He was only 35 years old, but the years he spent with us were full of life and love.

Casey was an intelligent, caring, and inquisitive man who tragically suffered from mental illness. Despite his personal struggles, he never failed to laugh at a funny joke and will be remembered by all who knew him for his contagious belly laugh. A graduate of Princeton High School and Tulane University, he was an avid reader, gifted writer, and talented athlete.

Casey fought his mental health challenges courageously, always seeking to find passion for life. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who hope that he finds peace, love, and compassion in the afterlife.

He is survived by his devoted parents, Kirk Huckel and Lisa Desiato: his step-mother Colleen Exter; and his siblings: Kiersten Huckel, her husband Charles Sipio, and their son Felix; Emily Lampshire and her husband Stephen; Cody Exter and his wife Caroline.

In honor of Casey’s memory, his family is asking that donations be made to the National Alliance of Mental Illness.

A funeral service was held at The Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, Pennington. Condolences are welcome at wilsonapple.com.

———

Yetta Goldstein Ziolkowski

Yetta Goldstein Ziolkowski, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on the morning of January 10 in Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Her husband of almost 70 years, Theodore Ziolkowski, born 1932, had died there on December 5, 2020. In their life together they had previously resided in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Innsbruck, Austria; New Haven, Connecticut; Cologne, Germany; Hastings, New York; and, for the longest stretch, Princeton, New Jersey, from 1964 to 2019. For 15 years, toward the end of their lives, they made extended annual visits to Berlin, Germany.

Yetta Ziolkowski was born on August 5, 1929, in Cedartown, Georgia. She was the oldest of four children of Margaret Goldstein, née Embry, originally from Anniston, Alabama, and Samuel Jacob Goldstein, né Olewnik, who had immigrated to the United States in 1903 from Ciechanów, in the Russian Partition of what is now Poland. She took great pride in being the daughter and sister of veterans: her father had served in France in World War I as a volunteer in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and her brother, Jimmy Alden Goldstein, was a U.S. soldier stationed in South Korea in the late 1950s.

A conventional resume would record that Yetta Ziolkowski was high-school valedictorian in Lincoln, Alabama, an undergraduate at what is now the University of Montevallo, Alabama, and a graduate student who earned an M.A. in comparative literature at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Later she taught Latin at a girls’ school in New Haven, Connecticut. In midlife — the long Princeton phase — she made many meaningful contributions as a volunteer at Princeton Hospital, docent at the Princeton University Art Museum, and coordinator of host families for Saudi Arabian engineering students studying English on the University campus in the summers of 1976 and 1977. She worked alongside her husband during his 13 years of service as Dean of the Princeton University Graduate School.

Yetta also did numerous co-translations with her husband, notably of Herman Meyer’s The Poetics of Quotation in the European Novel, and took photographs to accompany her husband’s works. In her sixties and seventies, she increased her community work, especially with the local welfare board, and applied to her own garden her sophisticated landscape and horticultural knowledge, gained in part from promoting the restoration of the garden designed by Beatrix Farrand at the Graduate School.

Though accurate, the accounting given fails to capture much about Yetta Ziolkowski that was most extraordinary. To the end, she retained an enduring imprint from her upbringing in rural Alabama during the Great Depression and World War II. Her father and mother brought together lasting roots, his in the Jewish communities in Ciechanów and Mława in what is now north-central Poland, and hers in and around a place called Embry’s Bend, alongside the Coosa River, outside the small town of Lincoln, Alabama.

To the last, she also commanded a formidable historical knowledge, an awe-inspiring memory of people — their faces, names, families, stories, and more — and places, and a deep and broad erudition in literature, art, history, and religion. To these she added perspectives gained from travels with her husband, not only across North America, but also throughout Europe, as well as to South Korea and Japan.

Yetta retained close ties both with those she had known from childhood and with those she had befriended in adulthood. Her husband may have published numerous books of literary and cultural history, but he and everyone else in the family recognized without hesitation that Yetta had read seemingly everything. That reading was not confined to English, since she shared with her spouse a profound commitment to German and Latin. Family members also knew how her nature would lead her from casual encounters into extended conversations that would elicit exceptional recollections and connections. Long before AI, she could transcend almost instantaneously the six degrees of separation.

From the very start, the relationship between Yetta and Theodore Ziolkowski — a fellow Alabamian, from Montevallo — was one of unbounded and unfailing love. Their marriage on March 26, 1951, proved magically successful, uniting two people whose fathers immigrated to the United States from utterly different backgrounds in eastern Europe. As a matriarch and person, Yetta was formidable in shaping and guiding those around her. She conveyed her strong insights, convictions, visions, and ambitions to everyone, not the least her three children and seven grandchildren. Her descendants will hear for generations to come about her mind, character, and, above all, love. She will never be forgotten.

She is survived by her younger sister Sarah Avisar Lichtman, of Bnei Dror, Israel; younger brother Jimmy Alden Goldstein, of Lincoln, Alabama; and youngest sister Barbara Bonfield, of Birmingham, Alabama; and daughter Margaret Ziolkowski and her husband Robert Thurston, of Oxford, Ohio; elder son Jan and his wife Elizabeth Ziolkowski, of Newton, Massachusetts; and younger son Eric Ziolkowski and his wife Lee Upton, of Easton, Pennsylvania. Also grieving her loss are a grandson and six granddaughters, along with two great-granddaughters and three great-grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to memorialize Yetta Ziolkowski may make a donation in her name to either the World Jewish Congress (support.worldjewishcongress.org) or the Anti-Defamation League (adl.org).

———

Jane T. Fenninger

Jane T. Fenninger, age 101, of Evanston, IL. Beloved wife of the late Leonard D. Fenninger, M.D.; loving mother of Anne Fenninger and the late David Fenninger. She is survived by her sister Elisabeth Peterson. Her sister Joan Purnell and brother H. Barton Thomas predeceased her. She has four grandchildren, Kathy O’Donnell, Randy Wolfe, Heather Akers, and Brandon Fenninger; and eight great-grandchildren, Teagan and Madison O’Donnell; Grace, Pearson and Emma Wolfe; and Harper, Jack, and Charlie Fenninger. She was also blessed with many nieces and nephews.

Jane was born September 23, 1921, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Katharine Jane Black Thomas and Harrison McClure Thomas. She grew up in Princeton, NJ, graduating from Miss Fine’s School in 1938. Jane went on to study at Vassar College, graduating in 1942 and received a M.A. from American University in 1968. She was a reading specialist at Sidwell Friends School, Washington, D.C. and North Shore Country Day School, Winnetka, IL.

While family came first, Jane loved literature, art, music, travel, sailing, and her community.

She was an active volunteer well into her nineties at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Women’s Board at the Presbyterian Homes, Evanston, IL, the Glencoe, IL Garden Club, and Glencoe Union Church.

A celebration of Jane’s life will be held April 23, 2023, in Princeton, NJ. Interment will be next to her husband, Leonard, at Glencoe Union Church at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Glencoe Union Church, the Art Institute of Chicago or the Geneva Foundation of the Presbyterian Homes.

———

Giseltraud I. Welburn

Giseltraud I. Welburn (Gigi), born March 10, 1941, passed away on January 10, 2023, dying of glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer that lasted 18 months. She had two younger brothers that predeceased her.

She was defined by one characteristic that almost everyone noticed about her: namely, she was the kindest and most generous of people who always put other people first before herself.

She was born in Osnabruck, Germany, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1967 after living in Spain for five years. While there she worked briefly as an au pair for a Spanish family, teaching their five children to learn German, but soon switched to attempting a career in acting. She did play an extra in two movies including Circus World and The Fall of the Roman Empire, and developed a close friendship with John Wayne and Rita Hayworth while there. However, she soon decided that acting was not for her and became a bookkeeper, something she was trained to do in a vocational school in Germany.

In the U.S. she trained to become an accountant and was working for KPMG when she met her husband, Ronald L. Welburn, and they married in Stillwater, N.J., on September 4, 1982. Gigi had stopped both smoking and drinking in her mid-thirties prior to her marriage, and became an active member of the AA organization that was to become a major part of her life. She is credited by the AA membership with saving many lives as she went to daily meetings and inspired others to stop drinking. Her recreation included 23 years as a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and running three properties in Mount Pleasant, S.C.; Skillman, N.J.; and a weekend house in Stillwater, N.J. Living near Princeton, Gigi had many friends in the Present Day Club.

Every year Gigi and Ron made a point of visiting exotic vacation spots around the world including their best and last vacation in 2019 when they went on the Sea Cloud on a “castle and garden trip” visiting Northern Ireland and Scotland. The onset of glioblastoma changed Gigi’s life for the worse. However, her spirits were high until the end as she believed in her AA work as well as “a perfect marriage of 40 years.”

The Welburn family has no children nor relatives living in the U.S. Gigi is survived by her husband and a grand-niece Emma Leiber and her parents, Petra and Carsten Leiber, who live in Bramsche, Germany.

———

In Memory of

Dr. Michael R. Cortese

Michael R. Cortese, D.M.D., 69, of Princeton passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton.  Michael was born in South Plainfield, NJ, and spent his childhood there. As a young man, Michael reached the prestigious level of Eagle Scout and lettered in four sports every year at St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, NJ. He enjoyed spending his summers at the Jersey Shore swimming and body surfing, and lifeguarded in Plainfield. 

Michael was a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame. While in college, he met his wife Angela, and they were married in 1976. They lived in Ridgefield Park, NJ, while Michael pursued his Doctor of Medical Dentistry from the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry, and their son was born in 1980. After he earned his doctorate, the family moved to Texas, where their daughter was born in 1983. During their time in Texas, Dr. Cortese received his Certificate in Maxillofacial Prosthetics and Dental Oncology from the University of Texas Health Science Center M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. The family moved to Princeton in 1987 where he established the facility which would later become Princeton Prosthodontics.

Dr. Cortese was a member of the prestigious American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics. He is one of only 360 accredited Maxillofacial Prosthodontists worldwide. He was a member of the American College of Prosthodontics, American Dental Association, Society of Clinical Oncology, New Jersey Dental Association, Osseointegration Society, and Academy of Osseointegration. 

Dr. Cortese was a skilled dental artist creating facial and oral prosthetics for patients to be able to function after cancer surgery. He spent over 30 years healing and treating the Princeton community and beyond. He treated all of his patients like family. His staff never left him and Melissa Cowman, his Dental Assistant and Practice Administrator, worked with him side-by-side for over 35 years. Michael was one of the very first dentists in the U.S. certified by Apollo Health collaborating with physicians to screen, prevent, and reverse Alzheimer’s and dementia.

He loved all things Notre Dame, the Jersey Shore, cooking for his family, ’60s music, and a good cigar.  He proudly coached his daughter’s soccer team and other youth sports in the community. He will be missed by his loving family and many friends.

He is survived by his loving wife Angela (Morrison) Cortese; son Michael Cortese; daughter Lauren Cortese; his mother Josephine Cortese; three sisters and three brothers-in-law Terry and Tony Mangion, Joanne and Martin Smith, Pati and Jim Brenn; a brother and sister-in-law Paul and Nancy Cortese; and many nieces and nephews. Michael is predeceased by his father Michael A. Cortese.

A Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542.

Arrangements are by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

———

Sarah Lambert Morgan
1933-2023
Sarah Lambert Morgan of New York City and Oyster Bay passed away at age 89 on January 12, 2023. Beloved for her wit, compassion, and dedication to her family. Sarah volunteered as a book binder at the Mertz Library of The New York Botanical Garden and served on the boards of the Havens Relief Fund Society, the Grosvenor Neighborhood House, and the New York Institute for Special Education.

A multigenerational New Yorker, she was born in Manhattan on August 17, 1933 to Samuel W. Lambert Jr. and Mary H. Lambert. An avid fly fisher, Sarah was the first female member of the Megantic Fish and Game Club, a member of the Women’s Fly Fishers, the Colony Club, and the Colonial Dames.

She is sorely missed by her husband Charles F. Morgan; her brother Samuel W. Lambert III; her three children Charles Morgan Jr., Maria Grill, and Samuel Morgan; daughters-in-law Kace and Shoki; her son-in-law Chris; and her seven grandchildren.
Memorial Service to be held at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York, N.Y., on January 27 at 11 a.m.

———

Beverly Wolfe Glassman

Beverly Wolfe Glassman, born July 15, 1929 in Baltimore, MD, died on September 11, 2022 in Princeton, NJ.

Beverly grew up in Baltimore where she attended Forest Park High School, then Towson State College graduating with a teaching degree. She married Irvin Glassman in 1954 and moved to New Jersey when her husband accepted a position at Princeton University. Beverly taught elementary school in Monroe and Dutch Neck for several years. Beverly was known to be a wonderful hostess and cook and frequently entertained Irv’s graduate students in their home. She also was active in The Jewish Center of Princeton and Hadassah. Beverly loved to travel, spending two years of Irv’s sabbatical in Italy, one with her young family.

She is survived by her three daughters, Shari (Warren Powell) of Princeton, NJ; Diane (Ed Gienger) of Ocean View, DE; and Barbara Glassman (Arthur Rubin) of Millbrook and New York, NY; six grandchildren, Eddie (Nicole Kennedy) Gienger, Megan (Paul Boyd), Elyse Powell, Dan Powell, Maya Rubin, and Noah Rubin; and one great-granddaughter, Naomi Kennedy Gienger.

Funeral Service and Burial were held on September 13, 2022 in New Jersey. Memorial contributions can be made to Hadassah.org or your charity of choice.

———

Albert Bortnick

After a long and healthy life, and a very short illness, Albert Bortnick, 97, of Princeton passed away Friday, January 20, 2023 peacefully at home in Princeton.

Albert was the second son born to Isidore and Lena Bortnick, he was born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Jersey City. He and his brothers shared friends, laughs, food, and enjoyed each other’s families. He served as a radar technician in World War II, and a month before he was scheduled to be sent overseas, the war ended. He came back home and enrolled in New York University, where he became Phi Beta Kappa (he would cringe knowing this was included because his humility trumped his achievement), edited the newspaper, and met the love of his life, Judith Joyce Karmiller.

Albert and Judith (Judy and Al as they were known) were married on March 25, 1951 and enjoyed a warm, loving, and fun 70 years together. Albert was an English teacher in the New York City School Board and then became a Vice Principal in various high schools in the Bronx, NY.

Albert and Judith raised their two children in Rockland County, NY, and lived there until relocating to the Princeton area 15 years ago. After retiring from the NYC School Board, Albert and Judith both taught at Montclair State University, and spent their time traveling, visiting children and grandchildren in Germany and Canada. They loved life together. They had many wonderful times with friends, family, and long dinners discussing most recently read novels and seen movies, and were open and curious to whatever their grandchildren were interested in.

Albert was predeceased by his wife Judith Joyce Bortnick, parents Isidore and Lena (Schwartz) Bortnick, brothers Joseph (Joe) Bortnick and Jacob (Jack) Bortnick, and sisters-in-law Marilyn Bortnick and Cecilia Bortnick. May their memories be a blessing.

He is survived by son Evan Bortnick, daughter Bonnie Hillman, son-in-law Hart Hillman, daughter-in-law Anna Bortnick, granddaughter Alexandra (Sasha) Bortnick, grandson Sam Hillman, and grandson Jake Hillman. He will be sorely missed for many reasons, but particularly when any of his family and friends need a precise definition for a word.

The family extends a deep thank you to Dr. David Barile, Dr. Ramy Sedholm, and the entire staff of Greenwood Hospice Care, including the two Kellys and Chaplain Byron.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023 at Star of David Memorial Chapel of Princeton, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2023 at Star of David Memorial Chapel of Princeton, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will take place with immediate family only in Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

———

Eugene Guerino Freda

Eugene Guerino Freda, 94, of Ewing, NJ, passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Care One at Hamilton, NJ. Born in Princeton, NJ, he was raised in the Jugtown section.

Eugene attended the Princeton schools and completed his freshman year at Princeton High School before transferring to The Hun School of Princeton, graduating in 1948. After graduating, he created the Hun Alumni Association on which he served in various capacities for several years. In 1952, he graduated from the University of Miami, Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He retired as a Major from the Active Air Force Reserve in 1975 after honorably serving on active duty from 1952 to 1956, most notably in France and Germany with the Western European NATO forces.

Upon returning from his tour of duty, his career led him to becoming District Service Manager for Carrier Air Conditioning Company then President of Eastern Air Balance Company. In 1969, Eugene received his Professional Engineers License. Along with his wife, Ellie, who had excellent business knowledge, they opened the Eugene G. Freda Company offering field engineering consulting services until they retired in 1992.

He was a member of the American Legion.

Eugene was predeceased by his wife, of 38 years, Eleanor “Ellie” Doten Freda, in 1998; parents, Guerino and Filomena (Quaresima) Freda; two sisters, Gloria Ann Chambers and Katherine Judith Freda; and brother-in-law, William Chambers.

Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Russell and Mary Jo Freda, and four grandsons: Anthony and his wife Diana, Nicholas and his fiancé Miranda, Zachary and Jeremy Freda; and two nieces, Kay (Joe) Torpey and Cynthia Chambers.

Private cremation and burial services are under the direction of Kimble Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ.

Memorial contributions to Ewing Covenant Presbyterian Church, 100 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ 08628 are appreciated.

To extend condolences and share remembrances, please visit TheKimble
FuneralHome.com.

January 18, 2023

Obituaries 1/18/2023

Charles David Allis 

Charles David Allis (“Dave”) passed away January 8, 2023 in Seattle, Washington, surrounded by his loving children and wife Barbara of 47 years. He was born March 22, 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dave and Barb met at the University of Cincinnati where they both attended undergraduate studies and later married July 12, 1975.

Dave’s passion for helping others and his enthusiasm for knowledge led him to pursue a career in science. He loved teaching and cherished the opportunity to mentor countless young scientists over his 42-year career, spending the last 20 years at The Rockefeller University in New York City. Dave is often remembered as saying, “Find something that you like to do and someone you like to share it with,” and how blessed he was to have found both in his remarkable career and his loving wife Barbara. To steal a phrase from Dave himself, “Good show, Dave!”

Dave was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend. Those close to him loved his sharp wit and sense of humor — always enjoying new puns and putting smiles on the faces of those around him. We will all laugh thinking of his energy and enthusiasm in all things important to him — his family, his career, and the many students he mentored over the years.

He is survived by his wife Barbara, his children (Laura, Brian, and Mike), grandchildren (Hannah and Sam), and his sister Cathy.

To honor Dave, please consider contributing to the C. David Allis Mentorship Fund for Young Scientists: go.rockefeller.edu/allis-fund.

———

Nancy Johnston Mulford

Nancy Johnston Mulford, 85, of Skillman, NJ, died January 12, 2023 at Stonebridge at Montgomery, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born October 28, 1937, in Oak Park, IL, the daughter of Herbert J. and Gladys Semple Johnston.

She graduated from Amundson High School, Chicago, and Park College (now Park University), Parkville, MO. She spent her junior year of college at International Christian University in Mitaka, Japan. She later attended McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago.

In 1961, she married the Rev. David E. Mulford. They lived in Albany, NY, Chatham Township, NJ, and Vero Beach, FL, while her husband, a Presbyterian minister, served as the pastor of churches in those communities. In 1994, upon her husband’s retirement, they moved to Black Mountain, NC, where they lived for 12 years. In 2006, they moved to Stonebridge at Montgomery in Skillman, NJ.

Nancy was an active volunteer in every community in which she lived. While living in Chatham Township, she was active in American Field Service (a student exchange program) and served it as an area representative. She served on Parent-Teacher Association boards and was chair of the Friends of the Library of the Chathams. She was named an Outstanding Volunteer of Morris County, NJ, in 1983.

As a member of a Presbyterian church wherever she lived, she served churches as both a Deacon and an Elder. She was also a member and officer of P.E.O., a women’s organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for women and belonged to chapters in New Jersey, Florida, and North Carolina. In Princeton, she was a member of Nassau Presbyterian Church and the Princeton Women’s
College Club.

Nancy and her husband enjoyed leading pre-retirement seminars for the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church USA. She managed the Country Store at Stonebridge for many years, providing a resource for those unable to shop independently. Nancy shared her artistic and teaching gifts with many generations of children and adults, and was especially well known for her wonderful classes in creating Pysanky Ukrainian eggs. Her creative talents were endless and live on in those with whom she shared her creations and her talents.

Nancy is survived by her husband, David, of Skillman; son Stephen Mulford of Baltimore, MD; daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Dr. David Youmans of Princeton, NJ; grandchildren Carey and husband Ammar Shallal of Princeton, NJ, Avery and husband Andrew Sellers of Lusaka, Zambia, and Nicholas Youmans and partner Michael Collins of Brooklyn, NY. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Zayn and Remy Shallal and Owen Sellers. Her sister, Bonnie Jacobi of Fairview, NC also survives. In addition, she will be missed by a number of foreign students who have lived with the Mulfords and became very much a part of their family: from Sri Lanka, Samatha James, Niloo James Hennings, and June James Bechler and their families; Bambang Gunawan of Indonesia; and Erika Schoonhover-Lovera of the Netherlands.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Nassau Presbyterian Church 61 Nassau Street, Princeton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Nancy Mulford should be made to Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ, 08542 or to Japan ICU (International Christian University) Foundation, Study Abroad Initiative, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 439, NY, NY 10115 or jicuf.org.

Funeral arrangements are by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

January 11, 2023

Obituaries 1/11/2023

William D. Kraft, Jr.

William D. Kraft, Jr., 87, of Cranbury, NJ, died peacefully at home on Friday, December 16, 2022. He was the son of the late William David and Thelma V. (Ringlaben) Kraft and brother of the late Sarah Kraft Bond.

Bill grew up in and had great affection for the town of West Hazleton, PA, where his family owned a lumber business for several generations. After graduating from Drexel University where he enjoyed many friendships as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, he went on to serve as a cryptographer in the US Army at forts around the Southern U.S.

In the late 1950s when there was only one book in the Philadelphia public library on computers and it was about the bomb sights of WWII, he started work at RCA’s computer group in Camden, NJ, on the pioneering BIZMAC. After several years of working on those early RCA machines, he took an opportunity to move to a growing operation in Princeton called Educational Testing Service (ETS). He was at ETS for 31 years as a creative technology person working on many different kinds of systems including those for processing and grading millions of the tests that became standard in schools across the country, like the PSAT, SAT, and AP. He was always an innovator and earned several U.S. patents and kudos from colleagues for systems designed for document storage to test taker identification to the essay grading model.

After leaving ETS he became an entrepreneur. He was asked to consult on a problem that the Episcopal Diocese of NJ had in getting the results of their important convention elections in a speedy fashion. He worked with Bishop Mellick Belshaw and church officers to develop a system for New Jersey first using bar code technology then later optical scanning and called it Votescan. Eventually Episcopal dioceses all across the country adopted his system and he spent the next 20 years working with his team to assist those dioceses in their elections.

He was married to the late Miriam Stecker Kraft with whom he had a son, William D. Kraft III of Buckingham, PA. He has been married to Katherine M. Kish for the last 37 years. He and Katherine enjoyed a very happy marriage sharing interests in business, in technology, in creating a special home and property in Cranbury, and in travel to all 50 states in the U.S. and most provinces of Canada in their motorhomes.

His great passion was driving and collecting antique cars like Studebakers and Hudsons. He had an original Ford Mustang convertible bought new in 1988 which he drove with pleasure until 2021. His latest pride and joy was a pristine 1997 Jaguar convertible. He was a member of the Central Jersey Antique Car Club and enjoyed showing his cars and driving in local parades.

He had a wonderful voice and was a soloist growing up and in college and the Army. And as an Eagles fan, both the band and the NFL football team, he enjoyed this winning season.

In addition to his loving wife and son, Bill is survived by his son-in-law Steve Frahm, his brother Robert H. Kraft and his wife Rebecca Goldfield, his brother-in-law L. Stephen Kish and his wife Beth. and nieces and nephews across the country.

The family would like to thank the physicians of the Princeton Medical Group, the staff at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, the staff of the Gardens of Monroe and Holisticare Hospice, and his wonderful home caregiver.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home in Princeton, NJ. Valet parking available.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society-Prostate Cancer Research or to the national Alzheimer’s Association for research which Bill supported in honor of his mother.

Funeral arrangements are by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

———

Robert “Bob” L. Tignor

Robert “Bob” L. Tignor, 89 years old, passed away after a short illness on December 9 in his home in Princeton, NJ.

Bob, a dedicated father, husband, and scholar, was born in Philadelphia on November 20, 1933. His father, Bob M. Tignor, was the minister of the Yeadon Presbyterian church and his mother, Martha, taught high school Latin. The oldest of five, Bob was a natural leader whose work ethic emerged in childhood — from the classroom to the sports fields to his first job at the Breyers ice cream factory. Bob earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster in 1955 and his Ph.D. at Yale University before joining the faculty at Princeton University, where he taught for 46 years until 2006. He was the Rosengarten Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, Emeritus, and a pathbreaking scholar of British colonialism and its aftermath, world history, and the modern histories of Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya. He was also affiliated with the Program in Near Eastern Studies and the Program in African Studies and served as director of the latter from 1970 to 1979.

As a teacher, Bob offered Princeton’s first courses in African history. As a scholar, he immersed himself in the study of the continent, learning Arabic and exploring new historical methods, including ethnographic accounts of the roles of the Kamba, Kikuyu, and Maasai peoples of East Africa in the rise and fall of the British empire in Kenya. His research took him to Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, England, and Kenya, countries where he and his family would live during sabbatical years.

His 14 years as chair of the Department of History was considered transformative, as he helped push the intellectual frontiers of the department beyond Europe and North America. He supported the creation of new kinds of courses, in new fields, with connections and support for interdisciplinary international studies, especially in African, Asian, and Latin American studies, and initiated graduate and undergraduate courses in world history. He focused on empire and capitalism before either topic was fashionable, writing seven books on African history. His book Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: A History of the Modern World: 1300 to the Present (Norton, 2002), a two-volume history of the world, is generally regarded as the defining scholarly work in the field and the leading college-level textbook on global history.

A full list of Bob’s publications and academic honors are included in the Princeton University obituary: princeton.edu/news/2022/12/21/robert-tignor-distinguished-egyptologist-and-historian-wonderful-mentor-and.

Beyond his own scholarship, Bob was a dedicated mentor to generations of undergraduate and graduate students in modern African history and modern world history. Among his graduate students, many of whom went on to prestigious academic careers, he is remembered for his wry-sense of humor and no-nonsense approach.

The easy athleticism and competitive spirit that Bob showed as a child — from the swimming pool to the basketball court to the football field where he played quarterback on his intramural college team — continued into his adulthood. Among colleagues and friends he was known as a fierce and fearsome tennis and squash player. His childhood loyalty to Philadelphia sports teams never wavered, and he was equally devoted to his Princeton Tigers as an adult. A passionate spectator, Bob’s game-watching moods ranged from sheer glee to total exasperation. He never shied away from letting the refs know when he disagreed with a call — which was not infrequently — or voicing his opinions when watching games on TV (and sometimes waking up his sleeping children in the process).

Bob was fair, honest, and deeply committed to helping others, most especially through education. Not one to slow down in “retirement,” he continued writing, publishing books on the Nobel-winning economist W. Arthur Lewis, a short history of Egypt, and a biography of Anwar al-Sadat. He also completed revisions of Worlds Together, Worlds Apart and wrote a companion volume. Bob continued his work as a member on the Board of Trustees for The College of Wooster, a role that brought him great pleasure. He volunteered as a reader for the blind; worked with struggling elementary school learners in the read-aloud program at a local elementary school, and helped women living in a shelter get their GED. Bob offered adult education lectures to the Princeton community and held advanced group history discussions in his home for a group of motivated high school students.

Among many things, his family will remember his commitment to summer vacations on Cape Cod spanning 60 years and countless trips taking children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the Brewster General store.

Bob’s wife of 66 years, Marian, suffered a fatal stroke on December 15, just six days after Bob’s death. He was predeceased by his son, Jeffrey David Tignor, who died in 2003. He is survived by his brother, Richard Tignor; his sisters, Joan Tiernan and Judy Russo; his daughters, Laura Tignor and Sandra Selby and husband Trevor Selby; four grandchildren, Hilde McKernan, Sam Cobb, Owen Selby and Isabel Selby; and two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Harper McKernan.

A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, New Jersey, at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2023.

Donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (uuprinceton.org), Thirteen – New York Public Media (WNET/PBS – thirteen.org), and The College of Wooster.

———

Christopher Rhoades Kagay, M.D.

Christopher Rhoades Kagay, M.D., died suddenly on January 2 in San Francisco at age 50 from a rapidly progressing glioma.  At the time of his passing he was surrounded by his wife Sarah, children Eleanor and Wilder, and close friends.

Chris grew up in Princeton, graduating from Princeton High School in 1990, where he was a trumpeter in the Studio Band, and editor-in-chief of The Tower newspaper. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1994 where he majored in Social Studies and was a founding member and president of the Harvard Review of Philosophy.

Chris received his M.D. degree from the University of California, San Francisco in 2004 and completed his residency and fellowship training in radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where he served as Chief Resident. 

Dr. Kagay returned to San Francisco in 2010 to join California Pacific Medical Center as a clinical radiologist. As a dedicated and compassionate physician, he was elected Chairman of the Department of Radiology in 2015 and President of California Advanced Imaging Medical Associates in 2021.

Nothing compared to the joy he experienced being a husband and father. His children’s extracurricular activities inspired his passion for photography, and he cherished capturing his family’s musical and athletic accomplishments as well as ordinary moments. Chris loved the natural beauty of his Outer Richmond neighborhood where he enjoyed cycling with friends and walking with his wife and dog on the beach.

His legacy of kindness will continue to uplift all who knew him, from his colleagues and patients to his neighbors, friends, and family.

Chris is survived by his wife of 17 years, Sarah White, their two children, Wilder and Eleanor Kagay, and his parents in Princeton, Carol and Michael Kagay.

Chris was passionate about education and enjoyed a lifelong love of learning. Donations in his name may be made to the PHS scholarship program at the 101 Fund, c/o Princeton High School, 151 Moore Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

A memorial service will be held in San Francisco.

———

Dr. David M. Smith

Dr. David M. Smith, of Princeton, New Jersey passed away on December 31, 2022. Born at home in Fort Valley, Georgia, on January 4, 1940, Dr. Smith was predeceased by his mother, Rubye Crews Smith; his father, James Hoke Smith; and his younger brother, Jere Crews Smith. Dr. Smith is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Marjorie Lang Smith; his daughters, Cindy Smith Wilson and her husband Chip Wilson, Kathy Smith, and Amy Smith Rogers and her husband Cal Rogers; and his two nephews, who he came to consider his own sons, Jere Crews Smith, Jr. and Brian David Smith and their families. He was proud of and loved all his grandchildren: Sam and Nick Wilson, Tess Turbeville, and Calvin and David “Story” Rogers. He will be missed by his extended family members, friends, and colleagues in both Pocono Lake Preserve and the Princeton community.

David attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and received his medical doctorate from the Emory University Medical School in 1965. From 1965 to 1967, he completed his general surgery residency at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and was then commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1969. He proudly served his country as a battleship surgeon, treating wounded U.S. Marines in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969, and was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone. He is featured as “The knife man” in the 2004 book Patriots by Christian G. Appy.

Upon his return from Vietnam, Dr. Smith completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at the New York Orthopaedic Hospital at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City from 1969 to 1972. After completing his residency and receiving his board certification, Dr. Smith, Marge, and their young family moved to Princeton, New Jersey. There he co-founded Princeton Orthopaedic Associates in 1974, and was later an instrumental leader in the design and establishment of Sports Medicine of Princeton and the Neck and Back Institute of Princeton. He practiced orthopaedic surgery in Princeton until his retirement from treating patients in 2004. In “retirement” he continued to help others and enjoyed testifying as a medical expert witness in many legal cases until 2016. He defended many surgeons but never failed when asked to support a patient when he felt the standard of care had been violated.

In addition to being a consummate doctor with a wonderful bedside manner, David was accomplished in many other arenas. He was a skillful pilot with certificates in multi-engine, commercial, and instrument ratings. He was an active business partner (or as he liked to say, “part-time farmer”) in the Indian River citrus industry down in Florida. He owned grapefruit and orange groves and was part owner in a successful packing house until this industry was hit by hurricanes and canker. In his “downtime,” David was a runner, beekeeper, family photographer, tennis player, skier, fly fisherman, outdoorsman, avid reader, writer, football fan, music lover, angel investor, and entrepreneur.

David was a man who could light up the room with his humor, his booming voice and laugh, and his storytelling. He was respected, loved, and a mentor to many. David made a positive difference in countless people’s lives. But, most importantly, he was a loving husband; a devoted father, grandfather, and uncle; and an exceptional friend. “Dr. Dave” will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like people to contribute to a scholarship or memorial fund of their choice in his honor and/or simply step outside to watch a sunset and pause with awe, gratitude, and splendor.

A celebration of his life will be held in late spring in Princeton and a Quaker-type service will be held in the summer in the Poconos.

———

Marilyn Medwin

Marilyn Medwin, age 95, of Skillman and formerly of Princeton, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as a trailblazing engineer.

Born in New York City, Marilyn studied mechanical engineering at City College of New York and became a founding member of the Society of Women Engineers, which now has over 40,000 members. Throughout her career, she held various engineering positions in the New York and New Jersey area and was skilled at solving geometric problems, which allowed her to manually design complex, multilevel integrated circuit chips. As technology evolved, Marilyn adapted to using computer-aided design software to continue her work in chip design.

At a mechanical drafting class at City College, Marilyn met her future husband, Albert Medwin. They were married in 1947 after Albert returned from serving in World War II. In 1957, they moved to Whippany, New Jersey, where they raised their sons, Lawrence and Steven. Every summer, Marilyn and Albert took their sailboat and the family to Lake George, New York, to camp on the islands.

In addition to her work as an engineer, Marilyn was also creative and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and building models. After Albert built a greenhouse, Marilyn spent many hours planting orchids and other flowers. The couple were members of The Jewish Center of Princeton and actively involved with Recording for the Blind for many years. They were also members of the Princeton Macintosh User Group and Marilyn often volunteered to read stories to children at her neighborhood school.

Marilyn is survived by her two sons, Steven (Rabbi Michele) Medwin and Lawrence (Ellie Hertzberg) Medwin; four grandchildren, Dan Medwin, Allison Steele, Rachel Witriol, and Sam Medwin; and five great-grandchildren, Zimra, Gavi, Teddy, Jasmine, and Julian. She is predeceased by her sister, Selma Hechtlinger. Marilyn will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Private Funeral services and burial were held at Princeton Cemetery, in Princeton, New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be made to Springpoint Foundation (online at springpointsl.org/foundation/donate or by mail to Springpoint Foundation, 4814 Outlook Drive, Suite 201, Wall Township, NJ  07753).

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences please visit the obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

January 4, 2023

Obituaries 1/4/2023

Phyllis Apple

Phyllis Apple, who turned 100 on November 30, 2022, died peacefully at her home in Princeton, NJ, on December 27, 2022 in the warm embrace of her family. Phyllis moved to Princeton to be close to her daughter Sharon Rose Powell and son-in-law Bob Powell. She had retired several years earlier at the age of 88 as the founder and head of The Apple Organization, a PR firm in South Florida which she ran for 30 years.

In a large feature article in the Miami Herald on the day of her burial service in Charlotte, NC, Phyllis was described as the “queen of real estate” who “put Miami on the map as an international destination” in the 1990s. In her last year as CEO in 2009, the Apple Organization was voted “Best PR Company in the Americas” by a joint collaboration of CNBC and the New York Times.

Effervescent and known to light up a room with her charm and charisma, Apple had also received the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Florida Business Journal — “an honor that crystallized her iconic stature in the world of real estate.” She shared with the Journal one of her tips on longevity: “A positive attitude can keep you young. Stay away from negativity.”

Phyllis Apple, at 91, brought her can-do positivity to Princeton when she moved to her condo in an 1830s house that had been recently renovated by Sharon and Bob. Phyllis was also blessed to live in the same town as her granddaughter Katharine Powell Roman and husband Ben Roman, and her three great-grandchildren Sam, Gabe, and Audrey Roman. Grandson Robert Powell, formerly of Princeton and now residing in Los Angeles with his husband Jerran Friedman, visited her frequently.

Affectionately known as Grandmommy to all of her five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, Phillis is also survived by her son Robert Rose and wife Carolyn Rose of Charlotte, NC, and her daughter Susan Marcus and husband Steve Marcus of Amherst, MA.

Phyllis, who was called a “force of nature” by family, friends, and colleagues, began her life as Phyllis Lila Blackman from humble beginnings in Newark, NJ. She joined the Navy as a WAVE in World War II after graduating from Weequahic High School; and married her first husband Lt. Commander Albert Rose from Durham, NC, after the war. The Rose family settled in Greensboro, NC, to raise their three children. Phyllis and her second husband, Bernard Apple of New York City, lived in Charlotte, NC, where Phyllis continued to volunteer for numerous Jewish and community organizations. Phyllis and Bernard moved to North Miami Beach; and at 58 and no longer married, Phyllis launched her professional career in PR at an age when many started planning for their retirement.

In the last decade of her life in Princeton, Phyllis stayed active and relished the many opportunities to attend plays at McCarter; concerts at Richardson Hall; Planned Parenthood and Princton Library fundraisers; lectures at the Potluck Society; and golf at Springdale Golf Club. In addition, she played mahjong with two different groups of friends every week, one of which she organized soon after arriving in Princeton. Phyllis could be seen walking her maltese dog Lucky in town every day in every season. Her laughter, active life, warm smile, and deep love and devotion to her family will always be remembered.

Phyllis was buried at Hebrew Cemetery in Charlotte, NC, on December 30, and received military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be sent to give.feedingamerica.org.

———

Jeffrey Bechler

Jeffrey Bechler, MD, of Princeton passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 29, 2022, due to cancer at the age of 63.

Jeff grew up in California and attended Palos Verdes High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball and met the love of his life, Mary, at a high school dance. He then attended Dartmouth College, majoring in economics and playing baseball. Jeff went on to earn his medical degree from New York Medical College, completed his internship and residency at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and completed a fellowship in sports medicine at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.

After three years practicing orthopaedics in San Diego following his fellowship, Jeff and Mary moved to Princeton in 1996, where Jeff joined University Orthopaedic Associates, specializing in sports medicine. Jeff served as the orthopaedic consultant and team physician for Princeton University, enthusiastically standing on the sideline at Princeton football games for over 20 years. Jeff was one of the rare few who joined a passion to a profession, and everyone he met benefited from it.

Jeff will be remembered as a loving husband and father as well as a friend, doctor, and coach. Those closest to him will fondly recall him for his selflessness, loyalty, and quick wit. Many treasured memories of Jeff have a connection to sports. He had a lifelong love for sports — playing, watching, coaching, and caring for athletes. Many people will remember their interactions around his kitchen table, where friends, neighbors, and athletes would ask his off-the-clock medical advice on their latest injuries. His calm reassurance and special sense of humor made him everyone’s first call.

Jeff is survived by his wife Mary; children Christopher (Olivia), Katelyn, and Scott; father Thomas; brother Scott (Susan); sister Kim; brothers-in-law Bill (Emma) King and Robert (Andrea) King; sisters-in-law Dede King, Tricia (Fred) Kosmo, Debbie (Steve) Killman, Deirdre Neely, Eileen (Mark) Gillis; 19 nieces and nephews; and was predeceased by his mother Barbara Bechler.

A Memorial Service is planned for 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 7 at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton. A reception will follow at The Bedens Brook Club in Skillman.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions to Nassau Presbyterian Church (nassauchurch.org/giving/give-now/) or to ALK-positive lung cancer research (fundraise.lungevity.org/campaign/In-Loving-Memory-of-Dr-Jeffrey-Bechler).

———

Richard William Knott
5/3/61 – 12/22/22

Richard William Knott, 61, graduated from Temple University with a degree in accounting and later received an MBA from the University of Virginia. Over the years, Richard worked for the United States Postal Service, Prudential Investments, Oppenheimer Funds, and SEI Corporation. While at Oppenheimer Funds, Richard survived the 9/11 attacks on The World Trade Center, and many colleagues credit Richard for saving their lives by insisting everyone evacuate the building after the first plane struck.

Richard is survived by his two sons, Conor Knott and Quinn Knott; their mother Angela Knott; and his two brothers, Bruce Knott and John Knott. Richard’s parents, Richard J. Knott and Margaret T. Knott preceded him in death.

Richard had a successful career in finance. However, what really gave Richard joy was his love for family, especially his two boys. On many occasions, Richard arranged a vacation home for his extended family during multiple summers in the Outer Banks, NC. It was important for him to provide the family a special place to be together and have fun. Richard also gave generously of his time and talents to various community organizations, most notably as a trustee for Princeton Little League and Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Richard loved sports. He coached both of his sons’ little league teams every year of their little league careers. Richard also made a point to bring his sons to various professional sporting events, and in particular enjoyed seeing as many different professional baseball parks as possible with his family when traveling. A highlight for Richard was visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, with his family. Richard enjoyed golf and shared that love with his sons.

Richard had a very energetic spirit, was thoughtful and generous, and possessed a kind and happy demeanor. He liked to make his family and friends laugh. His mother used to say, “Before Richard’s toe reached the floor each morning, he was teasing his brothers.” Richard spent nearly his entire life focused on other people around him, making sure to be there for his family and friends whenever he could.

A public service to celebrate his life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Princeton on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. Reception to follow at the church.

———

Mary Glenn Smith

Mary Glenn Smith died at home on December 28, 2022 at the age of 93. We are grateful that she was able to spend Christmas with her family and we thank the staff at Stonebridge for their care.

Daughter of the late Frederick and Maryon Lobdell, Mary Glenn (Mickie to many of her friends) was born in Maine on February 2, 1929. She spent much of her childhood in New Rochelle, NY, and on the family farm in Cambridge, NY. She received her bachelor’s degree from Colby College where she met her husband, Guy. They married in 1952 and started the family that was the center of her life.

In 1965 Mary Glenn and Guy moved to Hillsborough, NJ, where they raised their family. She was an active member of the community. As a cancer survivor, she was particularly proud of her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society and also the Woman’s Club of Hillsborough where she was tasked with awarding scholarships to deserving students. They were parishioners at St. Paul’s Church in Princeton for many years.

Later in life, while living in West Windsor, Mary Glenn was an active member of St. David’s Parish. She sang in the choir and volunteered in the Parish Food Pantry.

Mary Glenn loved spending time with family, going to her beach house on Long Beach Island, traveling to Vermont, antiquing, crossword puzzles, baking, and knitting. She will be remembered as a beautiful, friendly, charismatic woman who brightened the lives of those around her with her beautiful smile.

She was predeceased by her husband, H. Guy Smith in 2005 and her daughter, Margaret. She is survived by her five children, Leslie Taulbee (Dennis), Pamela Farr (Doug), Timothy Smith, (Michelle LaRoche), Katie Lynch (Gerard), Molly Shuck (Scot); 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; her brother Brian Lobdell (Joanne); and dear friends, the Lump family.

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul Parish, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ at 11 a.m.

Entombment will be at Holy Cross Burial Park Mausoleum, East Brunswick (Jamesburg), NJ.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or at donate3.cancer.org.

December 28, 2022

Obituaries 12/28/2022

Richard “Dick” M. Davidson

On Sunday, December 4, 2022, Richard “Dick” M. Davidson of Chestnut Hill, MA, formerly of Princeton, NJ, passed away at the age of 89.

Dick was born on October 21, 1933 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to William and Sarah (Frye) Davidson. He attended Baldwin Township High School in Pittsburgh, PA, and was named valedictorian of his graduating class in 1951. He then attended Pennsylvania State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in science in 1955.

Dick served in the United States Navy on the USS Rich DDE 820 from 1955 until 1957. In 1956, his naval service included three months in Europe and the Mediterranean during the Suez Crisis.

On October 24, 1964, Dick married Jean Anne Harwood at the Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. They moved to Garden City, Long Island in 1969 with their son William shortly before the birth of their daughter Susan. The family moved to Princeton, NJ, in 1978.

Dick started his career at Citibank where he worked as an investment officer and an investment research analyst. He then moved to IBM where he spent over 20 years working in sales and marketing. 

Dick had a passion for Aikido and devoted nearly 30 years to learning and teaching the martial art. He joined the Kokikai practice groups at the Princeton Y and The College of New Jersey and earned a black belt (4th Dan).

Dick loved living in Princeton and often enjoyed long walks in the woods at the Institute for Advanced Study.  He was an avid reader, bird watcher, and classical music lover with affection for the works of J.S. Bach, Mozart, and Vivaldi. He also loved doing The New York Times crossword puzzle and was known for always having a puzzle and a book with him wherever he went. Dick will be remembered for his dry wit, his great intellect, and his altruistic nature as well as being a loving husband and father. He adored his grandchildren and had a talent for making them laugh and inventing creative games to play with them.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents William and Sarah, his sister Jean, and his brother Robert. He is survived by his wife Jean, his son Bill Davidson and daughter-in-law Michelle Quinn-Davidson, his daughter Susan Davidson Serreze and son-in-law Peter Serreze, and his grandchildren Wesley and Sara Serreze.

A virtual celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Princeton Public Library.

———

Michael Antonio “Michele” Toto

Michael Antonio “Michele” Toto, 91, of Lawrenceville, NJ, passed away at home peacefully on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Born in Pettoranello del Molise, Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1958. He was a resident of Princeton, NJ, for over 45 years before he moved to Lawrenceville in 2004. He worked for Princeton University’s athletic department prior to his role as head groundskeeper at Stuart Country Day School for over 20 years. Michael developed his skill and passion for gardening and beautifying landscapes in Italy where he also pursued a diploma in agriculture. He was proud of his Italian roots and it showed in what he loved to do from dancing, listening to opera and Italian love songs, and reading Italian classics to his interests in history and sharing stories about his life in Italy. He valued education and loved to learn about people’s life experiences. His time in Princeton was the perfect place to sustain his curiosities. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and living a simple life, growing his garden wherever he was, and knowing that God was steering his path. Michael was a member of St. Paul’s Church where he served as an usher for over 15 years and a volunteer lector for Italian masses. He was also a member of the Roma-Eterna Lodge.

Son of the late Giovanni and Venezia (Ruberto) Toto, brother of the late Riccardo Toto, Evelina Toto, Gilda Toto, brother-in-law of the late Camillo Pirone, Giuseppe Toto, and Berardino Toto, and uncle of the late Anthony Toto, he is survived by his loving wife Angelina (Rossi) Toto of 67 years, son Fernando Toto and daughter-in-law Rose, daughter Anna Marie Toto, son Piero Toto and daughter-in-law Felicity, and granddaughter Julia Chandler Toto. He also is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law Camillo and Cristina Toto, Silvio and Clara Toto, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, Elvira Toto, Maria Pirone, Antoinetta and Jack Niper, Hugo and Mary Jane Rossi, Luciano and Laura Rossi and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren.

A heartfelt thank you to Michael’s family and friendship circle for their outpouring of love and support especially during his most difficult times over the past eight months. Also, a special thank you to his medical team and Embracing Hospice Care aides, Richard and Mirka, for their excellent and compassionate daily care of Michael.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 8 at St. Paul’s Church in Princeton. Funeral arrangements were handled by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in Michael Toto’s memory may be made to the Greater Jersey Alzheimer’s Association.

December 21, 2022

Obituaries 12/21/2022

Leon Mendel (“Lee”) Rosenson

Leon Mendel (“Lee”) Rosenson, 90, of Princeton, N.J., passed away in his home on December 13, 2022. 

Lee was a loving family man who reveled in large Thanksgiving gatherings and an annual family beach week. He was an avid birder and hiker who once trekked to Basecamp of Mount Everest in Nepal. He was a true activist who participated in protest marches for peace and civil rights. He testified at countless public hearings, where his reasoned and respectful advocacy helped win important battles for the New Jersey Pinelands and other environmental and social causes.

Lee was born in Oakland, California on May 20, 1932 to Miriam and Alexander Rosenson. The family moved to Washington, D.C., in 1944 so Lee’s father could pursue his career at the State Department.

After two years at George Washington University Lee transferred to Duke University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He served three years as an officer in the U.S. Navy after which he returned to school at Harvard where he received a Master’s in Business Administration. He took a position with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in San Francisco. At age 34 Lee decided to study biology, a long-held dream. He entered the University of California at Berkeley for a second undergraduate degree for which he was awarded a Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his Ph.D. in biology at Duke University, and then had a NATO Post-doctoral Fellowship in biology at Sussex University, England. Beginning in 1972 Lee was an Assistant Professor of biology at Stockton University in New Jersey. He left teaching in 1976 in order to become a member of the University of Pennsylvania Medical School’s Senior Administrative Group. After more than a decade there, he became Vice-President for Administration at the Liposome Company in Plainsboro, New Jersey, from which he retired in 1994.

Lee expressed his dedication to human rights and the environment by his active membership in the ACLU and on the Boards of local and statewide environmental organizations, including the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, the Nature Conservancy of New Jersey, the New Jersey Audubon Society, the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, and the Atlantic Audubon Society (of which he was a Founding Director). Lee also served his community as a member of the Princeton Board of Health and the Princeton Hospital Biomedical Ethics Committee. 

Lee is survived by his wife of 49 years, Suzanne Levin; his children from a previous marriage, Sarah Rosenson (Carleton Montgomery), Claire Rosenson (Tim Johnston); his step-sons Michael Levin (Marjorie Backup), Peter Levin (Barbara Parks); his son-in-law Edward Overton; nine grandchildren, Elise Levin (Michael Salerno), Jacob Montgomery (Iracema Drew), Esther Montgomery (Nick Citrone), Leslie Rose Levin, Sean Levin, Hannah Johnston, Naomi Johnston, Marina Overton, Eve Overton, great-granddaughter Addie Salerno; nieces Alison Dow and Katherine Dennin. Lee was pre-deceased by his sister Vivian Brownstein and daughter Abigail Rosenson Overton.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Lee’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org) or the Pinelands Preservation Alliance (pinelandsalliance.org).

———

Kevin Tylus

Kevin Tylus, 67, of Skillman died Friday, December 16, 2022 at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center of Plainsboro. Born in Princeton, he was a lifelong resident. Kevin was the CEO of WSFS Bank. He was a member of the Springdale Country Club, Nassau Club, Union League of Philadelphia, Penn Medicine of Princeton Foundation, Board of Trustees of the Hun School and a Board Member of the Gettysburg College.

Son of the late Frank A. and Catherine (Diaforli) Tylus, brother-in-law of the late Jay Graff, he is survived by his wife of 43 years Virginia (Broderick) Tylus; a son and daughter-in-law Kevin B. and Morgan Tylus; three daughters and three sons-in-law Megan and Ian McNally, Lindsey Tylus and Jon Lively, Kelsey G. and Michael Testa; two sisters and a brother-in-law Karen E. Graff, Jennifer and Tim Metzger; and 12 grandchildren Addison, Tyler, Finn, Caroline, Carter, Emerson, Charlotte, Kevin, Laine, Broderick, Ella, and Kate.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at St. Paul’s Church 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be to: Cycle for Survival or The Hun School of Princeton in Memory of Kevin Tylus.

———

Charles Mark Jones

Charles Mark Jones passed away on December 15, 2022, surrounded by his family after living for four years with a malignant brain tumor.

He was born on July 6, 1966 at St. Alban’s Naval Hospital in Queens and spent his earliest years on the McChord, McClellan, and McCoy Air Force bases. He went to primary and secondary school in Longwood, Florida, and showed an early interest and facility with numbers. He was a product of, and a strong supporter of, public education. Charles had a lifelong love of music. He sang with the Orlando Boy Choir, and at his church, where he also played the trombone. He loved to perform and played Oliver in Oliver in grade school, and Pippin in Pippin in college.

Charles earned his S.B. in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he embraced all aspects of college life. He played virtually every intramural sport and filled in on the varsity sailing team. He sang and played bass trombone in multiple performing ensembles, including the MIT/Wellesley Symphony where he met Daphne, his fiercely beloved wife of 33 years. A semester at the London School of Economics led to a lifelong love of travel, Premier League soccer, and yes, economics.

After college, Charles worked as an analyst for Merrill Lynch in Investment Banking, where he quickly added value building and explaining derivative valuation models. He then earned his Ph.D. in Finance at the University of Michigan School of Business Administration. He was an assistant professor of economics at Princeton University from 1994 to 1997. In Princeton, he and Daphne quickly set down roots and started their family. He was an adored friend and favorite dinner partner among their village of incredible friends. At Trinity Church, he sang in the choir (and from the pews with his family) and served on the Finance Committee. He was also on the board of directors of the Princeton Federal Credit Union.

Charles joined the faculty of Columbia Business School in 1997 and was named the Robert W. Lear Professor of Finance and Economics in 2008. His empirical research has helped answer some of the biggest questions in finance, including how stock markets incorporate information and why investors trade. He is best known for his research on short sales, algorithmic and high-frequency trading, market liquidity, and most recently, individual investor trading. His articles have enhanced the understanding of market microstructure, asset pricing, and behavioral finance. He received dozens of awards, fellowships, and research grants recognizing his work.

Charles’s research on short sellers and high-frequency traders changed the way the profession thinks about these traders. His papers show that short sellers play an important informational role in markets, especially during economic and financial crises such as those in 1929 and 2008, despite facing considerable regulatory obstacles and borrowing costs. His studies of high-frequency algorithmic trading show that these traders do not necessarily reduce market liquidity, as was commonly assumed, and can actually improve trading opportunities for others.

His recent article, “Tracking Retail Investor Activity” (2021) in the Journal of Finance with Ekkehart Boehmer, Xiaoyan Zhang, and Xinran Zhang, develops a novel method for identifying trades by nonprofessionals from transaction data, enabling further study of how individual traders behave and affect markets. He continued to be an avid researcher, working with co-authors on his five active papers into the fall of 2022.

Charles was an exceptional teacher and had a remarkable ability to clearly explain complex financial concepts. His Debt Market class was a popular elective, and he was recognized with multiple teaching prizes. Charles continuously held significant leadership positions at Columbia Business School for more than a decade, including most recently as Senior Vice Dean. He was proud of his wider public contributions; he served as a member of the economic advisory committee of FINRA and as head of the economic advisory board at Nasdaq, and was a visiting economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the New York Stock Exchange. He advised the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Department of Justice on matters related to financial markets.

As much as Charles loved and valued his work, he considered the tight-knit family he and Daphne created his greatest accomplishment and source of joy. Vacations and weekends were called “Camp Charles,” aptly named after the hikes and other adventures on which he would lead Daphne and their three children: Caroline, Andrew, and Elizabeth. He relished time with extended family on his parents’ screened porch in Florida, or sailing on the Straits of Mackinac, and considered the highlight of most any day to be talking and laughing around the dinner table. He loved attending any live performance: orchestral music, theatre, jazz, opera, and ballet, but most especially his children’s many performances.

His profound love of life, and even stronger love of the people around him, were infectious. His smile lit up every room he entered, and his laugh spread warmth and joy. His radiant vivacity was anchored by substance and calm. He was adored by family, friends, colleagues, and students, and was charming, genuine, funny, loving, and deeply moral. He always saw the best in people, even while holding them to high standards. 

He is survived by his wife Daphne; children Elizabeth, Andrew, and Caroline (and her partner Fergus); his mother Alice; his brothers Chris (Elaine), David (Edurne); parents-in-law David and Anabel; brother-in-law Anthony (Laura); a niece and three nephews; and was predeceased by his father Lawrence.

Charles and his family are grateful for the incredible care he received at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, and from the Greenwood Hospice team, and for all the love and support from friends and family near and far over the past four years.

We are grateful that his smile and memory continue to fill us with peace and love. A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. on January 2 at Trinity Church Princeton.

December 14, 2022

Obituaries 12/14/2022

Evelyn Saldick

Evelyn Saldick, who had a decades-long career as a public school kindergarten teacher first in Long Beach, NY, and then in Princeton, died at home on December 6, 2022. She was 96.

Born on September 29, 1926 in Ridgewood, NY, to Henrietta (Eichner) and Samuel Diamond, she received her B.S. from New York University School of Education in 1947. Evelyn married Dr. Jerome Saldick in 1951. They lived in Long Island, NY, Cincinnati, OH, and Milford, CT, before moving to Princeton in 1960 where she lived the rest of her life in the same house on Randall Road. She was always happy to return after a day of teaching or from an adventurous trip of which there were many worldwide. Travel almost always included a visit at a local kindergarten class that would become pen pals with hers at Littlebrook School (1961-1985) and Riverside School (1985-86).

Modesty and kindness were Evelyn’s hallmarks. Dedicated to the education of young children, she connected with most 5-year-olds with no more than eye contact and a smile.

Having vigorously claimed never to have worked a day in her life, Evelyn incorporated music into every single day of teaching because she was a fine pianist and her students responded to her soft touch and musicianship. Because showing rather than telling was her preferred method of teaching, she took her students on frequent outings in the area. When school budget cuts forced her to drastically reduce bus trips, she obtained her license in 1972 to drive a 50-seat school bus, and she and her students were back on the road.  She earned two sabbaticals from Princeton Regional Schools, first receiving her master’s degree from Rutgers University in 1970; and later awarded the opportunity from the Fullbright International Exchange Program to teach kindergarten in Oxfordshire, England for half a school year in 1985.

For decades after she retired from classroom teaching Evelyn mentored prospective teachers at Princeton University’s Teacher Prep Program and was an enthusiastic participant in Princeton University’s English Conversation Group which offers international graduate students the opportunity to practice English language skills, learn about American customs, and adapt to living in Princeton in a friendly and relaxed setting. She also enjoyed auditing classes at the University on subjects about which she previously knew nothing and applied her knowledge to new experiences.

Preferring the outdoors to any store or restaurant for a visit, she relished her long walks, bicycling with Jerry and the Princeton FreeWheelers, swimming at the Community Pool or in any calm body of water, and even skulling on Lake Carnegie in the early morning with her friend before the University crew came racing by. Evelyn took up jogging with the encouragement and companionship from her daughter, Barbara, often winning trophies in area races.

In 1995 at the age of 69, Evelyn was seriously injured when she was run over by a van while riding her bicycle in town. During her year of rehabilitation to a full recovery, she planned a reunion for all her kindergarten alumni at Littlebrook School in May 1997.  Ravioli, Littlebrook’s esteemed stuffed giraffe mascot, which Evelyn nurtured into perpetuity, was the event’s celebrity guest.

She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband of 62 years Jerome Saldick, and brother Norman Diamond.

Motherhood was Evelyn’s priority, above all else. Despite her aphasia in recent years she was able to communicate effectively. She is survived by her loving daughters, Barbara Lee and Diane. Special friend and kindergarten alumna, Danielle Rollmann, and live-in caregiver, Christina Brown, buoyed Evelyn to the end of her happy life.  

Funeral took place at The Jewish Center in Princeton on December 9 and burial on Long Island by arrangement with Kimble Funeral Home.  As Evelyn believed charity begins at home, she would encourage all to put family first.

December 7, 2022

Obituaries 12/7/2022

Chaim “Hymie” Schreiber

Chaim “Hymie” Schreiber, 90, of Princeton, NJ, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and three children on November 30, 2022. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday with his family.

Chaim was born in Durban on September 27, 1932 to Josef and Taube Schreiber, the first of two sons. His parents had emigrated from Poland via Mandate Palestine in the face of rising antisemitism. Chaim grew up in Johannesburg and studied engineering at a technical college, initially working alongside his father in a locksmith and window business. Drawing from his surname Schreiber, which means ‘scribe’ in German, he had an ambition to manufacture ballpoint pens in South Africa. He established the Scribe Pen Company and established a relationship with BIC in France, a business that his younger brother, Bennie, went on to manage. For a short time thereafter, he was a director at his father-in-law’s import business, before turning his energy back to his own pursuits. Subsequently, he founded a manufacturing business, which produced medical syringes and supplies. This flourished for a number of decades, before selling it to the American Hospital Supplies Corporation.

Chaim married Gaby Hirsch on June 21, 1959 and they recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They had three children, Colin, Karen, and Jacqui and lived in Johannesburg until February 1978, when they emigrated to Princeton in the wake of political unrest in South Africa. They made Princeton their home and have lived in the same house for 43 years. He was devoted to his seven grandchildren, who live in America and the United Kingdom. Chaim was especially proud as he witnessed them growing into independent young adults and receiving a university education, something he strongly valued.

Soon after settling in Princeton, Chaim audited classes in history and world religion at Princeton University. He read and thought deeply, always seeking to understand politics and world events in all their complexity. Until the end of his life, he continued to read his favorite magazine, The Economist, from cover to cover and newspapers from around the world. He was always happy to argue and debate with family.

He filled his days with his passion for road cycling, organizing and leading bike rides until the age of 88. He took pleasure in the meticulous planning of routes, which are still enjoyed by his friends at both the Princeton and Morris area Freewheelers. Chaim cultivated a huge repertoire of jokes, which he shared throughout his life. Chaim’s friends and family often remarked on his encyclopedic recall and ability to share a joke for every occasion, no matter how irreverent.

He was loved deeply and will be hugely missed by his wife, Gaby; his children, Colin (Sandy), Karen (Gary Lubner), and Jacqui (Peter Miller); his grandchildren, Sam, Hannah, Julia, Jordannah, Max, Sydney, and Jack; his large extended family; and his many friends.

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit the obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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William Fullerton (Sandy) Otis, Jr.

William Fullerton (Sandy) Otis, Jr. died at home on November 28, 2022, at the age of 97 after a fall. He was alert, talkative, and lucid right to his end. 

Sandy was born on October 16, 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri. In September of 1940 he entered St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. He excelled in sports at St. Paul’s, and in his senior year was Secretary of his Form.

Sandy was permitted by St. Paul’s to graduate in December 1943 along with two friends, Frank Vickers and Mike McClanahan, in order to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps to fight in World War II. Sandy and Frank Vickers were sent to England and fought as tail gunners in B-25s. Unfortunately, Vickers was shot down and killed on a mission. Sandy’s plane was also shot down on one occasion but he parachuted out over Holland, survived, and was back at the air base within 36 hours. He completed 34 combat missions. For his war service, Sandy was awarded both the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, Sandy met his first wife, Grete, who had come to the United States from Norway right after the war, at International House in New York City. They soon traveled around the country finding jobs together and spent the winter of 1949 in Jackson, Wyoming, where Sandy skied. Thereafter, Sandy and Grete moved to Middlebury, Vermont, where Sandy attended Middlebury College on the G.I. Bill and graduated in the Class of 1953. His first child, Christine, was born in 1950 in Middlebury. He went on to Vermont Medical School in Burlington, Vermont, graduating in 1957. His second child, Kim, was born in Burlington in 1954.

Sandy did his internship and residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which he completed in the summer of 1959. He then took his family to Europe for 14 months. The family lived the winter in Lech, Austria, and the rest of the year in a small town on the southern coast of Spain.

Sandy started his psychiatric practice in 1962 at The Carrier Clinic, a psychiatric hospital in Belle Mead, New Jersey, where he was a practicing psychiatrist until 1977. He was most proud of introducing group therapy to the Clinic. In 1978-79, Sandy and Grete moved to Zurich where Sandy studied to become a Jungian analyst at the Jung Institute. On their return to Princeton Sandy had a private practice until 1992. 

After his retirement from private practice Sandy audited several courses a semester at Princeton University for over 20 years. He traveled to town every day on his motorcycle and loved being in town, often using the library to do his studies. For decades he also met with a small group of older men every morning for two hours at Bon Appétit. When the pandemic ended that, he continued to meet with the group on Zoom until shortly before his death. 

After the death of his first wife in 1999 Sandy married Daniela Bittman. For many years Sandy and Daniela traveled to Europe every summer for over two months, staying at an apartment above a barn in Switzerland, as well as places they found in the Dordogne region of France. He loved to travel around Switzerland and hiked many mountains in the Alps.

Sandy always said that he was one of the luckiest men alive and that he enjoyed his life tremendously. He famously said that his 80s were the best decade of his life. When he had a motorcycle accident in his 90th year, things started to get more difficult. He said he was particularly lucky to have a second marriage to Daniela. They were devoted to each other. She took wonderful care of him, especially and completely at the end of his life.

Sandy is survived by his wife Daniela Bittman, his son and daughter-in-law Kim and Loraine Otis, his granddaughter Anna Otis, his stepson Jonathan Bittman and his wife, Sarah Jeffrey and daughter, Bodil. Sandy was also predeceased by his daughter, Christine Otis.

At Sandy’s request there will be no service. He asked that if after he died anyone who knew him personally remembered a good moment with him, that was all he wanted.

———

Maryann Stocki Warren

Maryann Stocki Warren died at home on November 29, 2022 after valiantly battling stage 4 lung cancer for over eight years. She is survived by her husband, John Warren, and her sons Patrick (Jolene) and Philip (Ruth) and four grandchildren, Oliver, Ethan, Wes, and Ayelet.

Maryann was born on November 11, 1954 in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Laura and Joe Stocki. She was predeceased by her brother, Raymond Stocki, and her parents. Maryann grew up in New Jersey and Virginia, graduating from Hopewell Valley High School. She attended Trenton State, now The College of New Jersey, where she earned a BA in Education with a minor in Art History. She modeled for Ford Models, ran a daycare out of her home, and worked for many years at Princeton University’s library, among other occupations.

Maryann loved her family, her pets, and animals in general, especially birds, dogs, and horses. She enjoyed working in her garden — particularly with the family’s first bird, Boo, walking around on the grass next to her — and knew a lot about flowers and other plants. She was a devoted music fan (especially David Bowie) and she loved to dance. She was a huge Phillies fan (shoutout to Jayson 2008!) and never missed her sons’ Little League games. Maryann adored coffee, gummy bears, and licorice. She loved Eaglesmere, the Jersey Shore, and Cape Cod, and visited many times over the years. Her paradise was sitting in a beach chair watching the sun set over the bay. She cherished family holidays and gave the most thoughtful, beautifully wrapped gifts; she frequently sent lovely cards. The house in Princeton that she shared with John and where she raised Pat and Phil is decorated with the photos she chose and the curtains she sewed. The family enjoyed walks to and from town for the Christmas tree lighting and visits to Thomas Sweet and Halo Pub. In recent years, her greatest pleasure was playing with her grandchildren.

Maryann will be remembered for her wonderful, distinctive laugh, wearing a turtleneck and holding a mug. A memorial will be held early in 2023.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Peter Yi and the entire team that supported Maryann and the family during her illness. Donations in Maryann’s honor may be made to your local animal shelter.

———

Helen Louise Schaufler

Helen Louise Schaufler, affectionately known as “Weezie,” passed away peacefully on November 23, 2022. She was 91.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, on March 11, 1931 to George and Mary (Snavely) Schaufler, Weezie grew up in Ambler, PA. She is survived by her brother George Theodore “Ted” Schaufler (Sue) of Newport News, Virginia; niece Amie Hellauer (Kurt) of Andover, Massachusetts; nephew Andrew Schaufler of Virginia Beach, Virginia; great nieces Mary Hellauer and Erin Hellauer; as well as many Snavely cousins.

While attending Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA, Weezie continued her lifelong love of learning by studying economics and mathematics. In addition to her academic accomplishments, she was an equally gifted athlete. As captain of the field hockey team and a leader among women, Weezie forged enduring bonds of friendship with several of her classmates. She graduated in 1952 with a BS in Economics.

A pioneering woman, she embarked upon her career in scientific research, initially working for DuPont in Wilmington, DE. A few years later, friends in Princeton encouraged her to join them there. Always up for an adventure, she cheerfully agreed. In May 1955 she accepted an appointment by Princeton University to the Forrestal Research Center, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department – helicopter division. In 1977 she transferred to the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. She retired from the university in 1992 and called Princeton home for 67 years. She loved the town and knew much of its history.

Weezie loved letters, arts and sciences. Her many friends would often ask “Where is Weezie?” rather than “How is Weezie?” A free spirit with a wanderlust, she traveled the globe, sharing her dry sense of humor with all whom she encountered. Her first trip to Europe took her to Amsterdam in 1954. The travel bug bit hard and she made many trips, including an archeological dig at Aphrodesias in Turkey, an Earthwatch trip to Gibraltar to study the mating habits of the Barbary apes, an exploration of the Amazon, a camel ride on the beach in Kenya, a river boat trip in East Germany and an Audubon birding trip in the Caribbean.

Her interests encompassed many passions, including avid gardener, birder, fierce animal protector, gourmet cook, excellent tennis player as well as supporter of the sport and a voracious reader of nonfiction. She loved to research word origins, slay the NY Times Crossword puzzle, enjoyed the wonders of nature, the game of bridge, swimming, skiing, and nurturing friendships.

The family thanks her many friends who provided companionship, care and support, particularly in her latter years. Special thanks go to Carol Brown Yam. Memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA or an animal-centered charity of your choice. Burial will be private.

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

November 30, 2022

Obituaries 11-30-22

Architect Barbara A. Hillier, AIA

Architect Barbara A. Hillier died peacefully on November 21, 2022 from Alzheimer’s disease. She was 71 years old and in residence at Brookdale in Dublin, Pa.

Barbara was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 20, 1951, the first of two children for Colman and Shirley Feinberg. Her parents had a thriving men’s clothing store where Barbara, as a young woman, helped out as a salesperson.

From an early age, she demonstrated a knack for drawing and an innate artistic talent. Despite her natural skill and drive to succeed, academic advisors continuously pushed Barbara towards cosmetology-related roles. However, her aspirations were higher. Barbara enrolled at Temple University, where she received a BA in Psychology. Wanting to nurture her artistic talent, she decided shortly after graduation to enroll at Beaver College, now Arcadia University, where she studied Art and Interior Design, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

In 1978, with the country in recession, Barbara reputedly sent 138 letters to architectural firms in the Philadelphia Region. One of those letters landed on the desk of a young architect in Princeton, J. Robert Hillier. So impressed with the letter, he called Barbara in for an interview. She claimed that Hillier was the only respondent to her letters.

Barbara’s senior thesis at Beaver was a proposed casino for Philadelphia’s Fairmont Park. The design did not appeal to Hillier, but he could not get over Barbara’s passion for design and her communication of it. Hillier asked General Manager Joe Bavaro to also interview her, and his determination was they should hire Barbara, “not because of her pretty face” and not until there was a project for an interior designer. That project soon came along with a call from the Los Angeles Dodgers to transform their Vero Beach training camp into a conference center when the team was not there. Barbara was hired. From that point on Barbara began winning interior design commissions and the firm expanded its services to include interior design.

In 1984, Barbara asked if she could open the firm’s first branch office in Philadelphia. The answer was “yes,” but only if she had a large enough project to warrant it. Barbara learned of a large company that was relocating from New York to Philadelphia. While the Facilities Manager, a Princeton resident, originally refused to meet with Barbara, she finally persuaded him by offering to connect with him on the train for his commute home. Barbara won the project and was able to open the Philadelphia office.

The new office took on the creation of corporate headquarters for Vanguard, Motorola, Bell Atlantic, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Merck. It also took on educational work for Temple University, the Wharton School, and several private secondary schools including the unique Solebury School near New Hope, Pa. For Solebury, Barbara created the stunning Abbe Science Center which won design awards from the National Cedar Council, the New Jersey and Pennsylvania AIA, and the extremely prestigious Pennsylvania AIA Silver Medal which is awarded by discretion only to a project far above all the entries in a particular year.

Bob Hillier and Barbara were married in 1986, as a working relationship turned into a love story. Together, they built their magnificent Autretemps on the banks of the Delaware River. Barbara became a dedicated homemaker with her home cooking, her vegetable gardening, and entertaining. She had the amazing ability to turn away from the practice on Friday afternoon and enjoy her own time over the weekend, including reading the New York Times cover to cover.

Barbara loved to travel, so before she and Bob started a family, they traveled the world, visiting Egypt, Kenya, Turkey, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, Israel, the UK, France, Switzerland, Italy, their beloved Venice three times, China, and Japan. They always took a winter week to visit the enchanted island of Anguilla where they had spent their honeymoon.

Their life was full of travel, entertaining, Broadway shows, movies, and dances where Barbara starred with her beautiful, spins, dips, and curls. Her all-time favorite movie was the 1984 film Flashdance, with its musical scores, photography, and storyline that so closely paralleled her own life story of unconventional routes to success.

Back at the office, it became quite clear that Barbara was more interested in architecture than interior design. Pennsylvania had a historic “craft” law that said after working for an architect for 10 years, you could undertake a three-year internship and then take the architectural licensing exams without the usual required architectural degree. Barbara took on that challenge and started taking the exams, but she kept failing the site planning exam. Bob helped her through her third and “must pass” site planning exam by forcing her to build a topographic site model out of sheets of cardboard to better understand site grading. In 1992, Barbara became a licensed Architect!

In 1993, after a wonderful trouble-free pregnancy, Barbara delivered a beautiful daughter, Jordan Rebecca, and took a full year off to properly begin her daughter’s life. Soon after, she retired from the Philadelphia office, and joined Bob in Princeton, balancing her new career as a wonderful Mom — helping out in classes at Buckingham Friends school and taking Jordan to riding lessons when she turned 5, and training her two beloved Vizslas Zoe and Chance (and later, Suri and Bowie, who filled Barbara’s final years with endless joy).  Barbara’s dedication to Jordan’s equestrian activities went above the call of duty, with early morning drives to horse shows, the assurance that Jordan had the right outfit, and the constant search for the perfect horse for Jordan to own. Barbara continued to attend horse shows with Jordan through 2021. There was always one guaranteed way to make Barbara smile — and that was to talk about Jordan. As Jordan grew, Barbara stayed deeply engaged in her life, and was Jordan’s best cheerleader, confidant, and role model, teaching her the importance of having a career, but that being a mom was above all else.

After her extended maternity leave, upon returning to the Princeton office, Barbara organized a very talented and design-dedicated studio for special projects with both great design challenges and opportunities. Barbara’s attitude about design was to challenge the conventional through the creation of totally new forms that better met the client’s needs and aspirations while still respecting concepts of Place, Community, History, and Culture.

In 2003 Barbara won an interesting project for Becton Dickinson. The corporation was housed in two buildings, separated by a beautiful and treasured lawn at its entry drive. Management felt that the groups in the two separated buildings should be talking more and working together. They proposed an employee services center between the two buildings to bring people together with its central dining function plus other services. Rather than building it upon the great lawn, Barbara proposed a building under the lawn that would break out of the ground in the rear with views to the woods beyond. The building was honored by design awards from the New Jersey and Pennsylvania, AIA Chapters, and, unexpectedly, it received the prestigious Chicago Athenaeum National Award for architectural excellence.

In 2007, Barbara and Bob were working on the Master Plan for the Las Colinas development in Irving, Texas, of which one element was a Convention Center being designed by a New York firm. One day Barbara got a call from the director of conventions asking if Barbara would design the Convention Center instead. In her usual way Barbara explored alternatives to the large flat boring boxes that defined most convention centers. She created a vertical convention center that soared 170 feet into the Texas sky with convention rooms at different levels, all connected by amazing escalators and with expansive terraces protected from the hot Texas sun. The design minimized its land consumption, and the center had a huge visual presence from the highways to the Dallas airport. The building has won every imaginable award including several for its sustainability and structural finesse. It is also fully booked far into the future.

With the completion of this and other major projects, Barbara resigned from the firm and spent two years at Princeton University’s School of Architecture, achieving her lifelong cherished goal: a Master’s Degree in Architecture. Her happiness on the day they draped the hood over her shoulders was second only to the day Jordan was born.

Barbara then set her sights on the “Renaissance” of Witherspoon Street with an updating of its historic structures and the provision of housing for those who help the town of Princeton function and thrive, but cannot afford to live there. That “Renaissance” is to begin construction in 2023.

Thus, was completed an amazing career of motherhood, service, leadership, sophistication, artistic creativity, and passion.

Barbara is survived by her husband, J. Robert Hillier and their daughter Jordan Hillier Adams, husband Dr. Alex Adams, and granddaughter Sela Jane. She is also survived by her stepson, James Baldwin Hillier, wife Shari, and three step-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Bruce Feinberg, his wife Iris, and their four children.

The family wants to thank the remarkable staff at Brookdale Dublin for their gentleness and thoughtful care of Barbara during her stay in their facility. Special thanks to Natalie, Dana, Jessica, Jesse, and Chefs June and Teresa.

Burial in Princeton Cemetery will be private for the family. There will be a memorial service and celebration of Barbara’s life at the Princeton University Chapel on January 6, 2023 at 11 a.m. Funeral arrangements are by Mather-Hodge Funeral Home of Princeton, N.J.

Barbara was very passionate about finding a cure to Alzheimer’s disease, from her Dad’s diagnosis through to her own struggles with the disease. In lieu of flowers, and in Barbara’s honor, contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, which can be accessed through alz.org/delval.

———

Tung-Ching Lee

Tung-Ching Lee, 81, of Princeton, NJ, peacefully passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Capital Health Regional Medical Center, NJ.

Tung-Ching was born on October 28, 1941 in Chongqing, China. Always a scholar, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tung-Hai University in Taichung, Taiwan, received his Master’s in Food Science and PhD in Agricultural Chemistry from University of California, Davis, and Certified Nutrition Specialist from the U.S. Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists, New York, NY. He taught and did research in Food Chemistry at University of Rhode Island for 15 years, and at Rutgers University for 28 years before retiring in 2017.

Tung-Ching received several awards and honors through his work, including Fellow from the International Academy of Food Science and Technology, “Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Research” and “Sustained Research Excellence Award” from Rutgers University, Fellow from the American Chemical Society, Fellow of Institute of Food Technologists, and “The Research Scientists of the Year” award from the University of Rhode Island, just to name a few. He also received several research grants, developed several patents, and authored/co-authored more than 260 research papers in review journals and proceedings, and more than 30 books in the area of biotechnology, food science and technology, nutrition, food safety, microbiology, and other related fields.

True to his profession, one of Tung-Ching’s hobbies was food: eating food, reading about food, cooking food, finding new restaurants, etc. He was also an avid traveler, visiting every country and continent except for Australia and New Zealand. Reading was another passion of his, as newspapers, magazines, and books were always surrounding him, and a newspaper or two were always in his satchel when he left the house.

Tung-Ching is survived by his wife of 52 years, I-Wen Yeh, his son Jan, daughter Irene, brother Toney Lee, and sister Gina Hsu, as well as several nephews, nieces, and extended family.

A private funeral was on Saturday, November 26. A public memorial service is on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 11 a.m. at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ. Burial will follow the memorial service.

Flowers can be sent to Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton, NJ, for the December 10 memorial service.

———

Patricia Marie Cahill

Patricia Marie (“Pat”) Cahill, 88, of Skillman, NJ, formerly of Princeton, NJ, passed away in her home at Stonebridge on November 25 from the effects of melanoma.

Patricia was born in Boston in 1934 and attended Charlestown High School, where she was known for playing piano and her involvement in the Acting Club. She was an exceptionally bright student and graduated early at the age of 16. After graduation she worked at Shawmut Bank in Boston until she married Andrew Cahill in 1955.

Pat and Andy lived in Providence, RI, Endicott, NY, and Huntington, NY, before settling in Princeton, NJ in 1965 where they raised their five children and lived for almost 40 years.

During their 47 years of marriage Pat and Andy enjoyed many opportunities to travel — trips with friends, IBM Golden Circle Awards (honoring Andy as a top salesperson), and especially visiting family in places like London, Hong Kong, and Paris. They also enjoyed entertaining and many of their friends were associated with their long and active membership at Springdale Golf Club. Along with golfing, Pat was an avid reader, enjoyed tennis, paddle tennis, and in her later years was known as a formidable opponent both at the bridge table and on the bocce court.

In the late 1970s Pat became a real estate agent, which suited her well as she loved looking at houses and exploring Princeton and the surrounding area. She spent many years with NT Callaway Real Estate on Nassau Street where she worked with great friends and found success primarily in retail sales but also sold a few of Princeton’s landmark buildings such as Lower Pyne (corner of Nassau and Witherspoon Streets), which led to its transformation from old bus station to the home of Hamilton Jewelers in 1985.

Pat is pre-deceased by her husband of over 47 years Andrew Cahill, her parents Daniel and Mary (Harrington) Doherty, and brothers Daniel and Francis Doherty. She will be missed by her remaining siblings, Marilyn Scanlon and Vinny Doherty, her children Peter and Diane Cahill, Andy and Janet Cahill, Chris and Carrie Cahill, Mary Pat (Cahill) Rose and Carolyn Cahill, and 10 grandchildren Brian and wife Allison, Dana, Michael and wife Kelly, Kelsey and husband T.J., Nicholas and wife Tina, Kati, Ali, Catherine, Christine, Jack and great-granddaughter Madison Marie.

Pat truly enjoyed the last years of her life with many friends at Stonebridge at Montgomery and her family would like to thank the staff of the Assisted Living Unit for the wonderful care she received in her last months.

Services were held at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 29, with burial and blessing following at Princeton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St Jude Children’s Hospital which Pat supported for years (stjude.org).

November 23, 2022

Obituaries 11/23/2022

A. Rice Lyons

A. Rice Lyons, 93, of Princeton died peacefully in her home on October 31, 2022. She was born Hannah Rice on July 4, 1929, in Brooklyn to Morris Rice (a shortening of Reiser when he came through Ellis Island) and Lena (Rothman) Rice, and was the only child of their marriage, though she had several half-sisters. She was not called Hannah as a child, and was registered in school as Anita, learning only as a teenager that Anita was not her birth name. She was called Rice as a first name starting in junior high, where all the kids were known by their last names. That stuck permanently for her.

Rice married her high school sweetheart, Mymon Goldstein, in 1949. They moved to Princeton, where he received his Ph.D. in psychology, then to Denver, where their first two children were born. Another job took them to Bloomington, Indiana, and finally another to Lawrence Township, NJ, in 1960, where their third child was born. Rice began work at Princeton University in the mid-1960s, landing after a few years at the Office of Population Research as its department administrator. She and Mymon divorced in the early 1970s, and he died in 2004. Rice married Terry Lyons in 1973, and they moved to Princeton in 1975. Rice and Terry (still of Princeton) divorced in the late 1980s. She spent the rest of her working career at the OPR until her retirement in 1994, and remained a Princeton resident for the rest of her life.

Rice was a vibrant member of many circles who thrived on community and particularly on bringing people together to do the things she loved. She taught folk dancing for decades, with a particular emphasis on getting people to dance for the first time, and to enjoy dancing as much as she did. She incorporated folk dance into events she led at elementary schools and into LAFF (Life After Forty-Five), a class she developed and taught for years at Princeton University. She became a published poet later in life, and turned to teaching poetry at the Princeton senior center in 2000, which she did until her death. She was an involved member of the Princeton Unitarian church, where she led New Year’s Day poetry readings for years. She was a lifelong knitter, a lover of classy movies and TV shows (especially British mysteries), an enthusiastic poker player, an entertaining charades player, and a great cook. She was always the best storyteller in the room, usually adding a little embellishment to make the story more fun. And she was a loving and playful grandmother.

She is survived by her children Julia Goldstein (George Kostic) of Toronto, Nina Goldstein (Robert Anderson) of Ann Arbor, and Amy Goldstein (Owen O’Donnell) of Princeton, and her grandchildren Evan O’Donnell and Leanne O’Donnell. The family wishes to thank the invaluable Claudette Wright, Rice’s devoted caregiver of her last five years.

There will be a memorial service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton in early 2023. Memorial contributions may be made to the UUCP or the Princeton Senior Resource Center.

———

Barbara Marion Hynds Johnson

Barbara Marion Hynds Johnson, 93, died peacefully on November 4, 2022. Barbara was born on January 26, 1929 in New Haven, CT. She graduated with a BS in Elementary Education from New Haven State Teachers College (now Southern Connecticut State University) in 1950. As a student she served as a member of a delegation to the Connecticut State Legislature to petition for the upgrade of the college to a university to be located at the new Hamden campus. After graduation Barbara taught kindergarten and reading readiness at Truman School, where both she and her mother had been students.

Barbara married John Johnson in 1951, moving with him and their newborn son to Pittsburgh in 1955 when he joined the Westinghouse Electric Corporation Atomic Power Department. In 1955 they moved to Princeton, NJ, where he was assigned to work at the Princeton University Project Matterhorn, the University’s fusion program. He ultimately joined the University’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory for the rest of his working career, enabling her to raise a family in Princeton and contribute to many community activities.

Barbara was a charming hostess when John regularly invited colleagues home for dinner on little notice and she often took charge of the companion’s program at physics conferences and meetings. She was especially proud of teaching an English conversation class to young professional women during a stint at Kyoto University Plasma Physics Laboratory. Barbara served as a volunteer for the Princeton Hospital auxiliary, co-chairing the rummage sale. She was president of the Princeton High School scholarship committee (now the 101 club) and was a strong supporter of the school’s music program, helping to raise money for the choir’s European trips. Barbara was president of both the Princeton University League and the Princeton Women’s Club and served as president, program committee chairman, and member of the scholarship committee of Women’s College Club of Princeton which provides financial assistance to female graduates of local high schools. She was a longtime member and served as chair of the program committee for The Present Day Club. Barbara faithfully served the Princeton United Methodist Church as president of its women’s society, rummage sale chair, member of the membership committee, and church Lay Leader. She chaired the committee that organized and executed PUMC’s sesquicentennial anniversary.

During their 69 years of marriage, Barbara and John were blessed with the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and North America. She loved visiting with old friends, forging new friendships, and spending time with family.

Barbara is pre-deceased by her husband of over 69 years, John Lowell Johnson, and her parents, Frederick Ender and Amelia Rita McDermott Hynds. She will be missed by her children, Lowell and Michelle Johnson, Lesley Johnson-Gelb, Jennifer and David Goodall, seven grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

A service in celebration of the lives of Barbara and John Johnson will be held at Princeton United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 28 at 2 p.m. Barbara wishes that any memorial gifts made in her name be directed to the Scholarship Fund of the Women’s College Club of Princeton.

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

———

Nancye Allen Fitzpatrick

Nancye Alfriend Allen left us in this world on November 9th to join her loving husband Jim, at the wonderful age of 100.

Nancye’s devotion and commitment to the betterment of children: her own, her grandchildren, those she taught, and especially those in need were a constant gift to all she impacted.

Mother, teacher, mentor, friend — witty and wry to the very end. Nancye was born in Hebron in rural South Central Virginia in 1922, the third daughter of James Aubrey Allen and Mamie Allen nee Baird. It was a simpler world and a farming life she entered. Her family kept chickens, pigs, and a few cows, owned and operated a diesel-powered sawmill deep in the woods and a local country store that doubled as a mail stop on the Norfolk and Western railroad tracks that ran by their lane with occasional haunting whistles. As a family they attended the small Presbyterian church ministered by Reverend Hugh Fitzpatrick; who would later marry Nancye to his son Jim, a childhood friend since the age of 6.

When that local boy, at the age of 17, enlisted, went off to war as a bomber pilot and became a prisoner of war, Nancye started writing letters to him hoping it would help him survive his days of captivity. Little did she imagine that Jim would become her husband and life partner for 66 years.

When Jim returned from Germany, Nancye was teaching high school in Virginia. Over the next few years, he asked her three times to accept his proposal for marriage, and as we know three times is the charm, so they married in 1950. Rural Virginia was soon left behind for the canyon walls of New York City. Nancye bore her first two children on the Upper West Side — Karen 1951 and Hugh 1952 — before relocating to Princeton, NJ, in 1953; chosen so they could raise a family in a college town. They soon built a home in a field on Rosedale Road. 1954 saw her second son Allen arrive and in 1959 her third son Dudley. All of her children carry her maiden name and all feel their deep roots in Hebron soil.

Nancye was the consummate mother. Fierce to defend, clear with moral lessons, quick to console and hug, and always cooking up a storm. It was a well fed, busy, and safe household but if you ever sneaked the cookie jar, she had eyes in the back of her head!

Once her children were off to school, it was time for Nancye to return to teaching: grammar lessons at the kitchen table were no longer enough. Her college years at Longwood State Teachers College and her early teaching positions in Virginia placed her in a long line of family teachers including her mother Mamie, who taught in a one room schoolhouse (often to boys who were older than she), and her two sisters Mary Dudley and Louise, who were also teachers in Virginia. She restarted her career in New Jersey, first as a substitute in the Princeton school system, then full time in the newly built John Witherspoon Middle School. She had a great run there; her students loved her for her support and her ability to challenge them at their level — she wanted the best from all and for all.

Nancye always had a soft spot in her heart for those in need. She served for many years on the Board of the New Grange School. She mentored and tutored in the Trenton After School Program and supported the Princeton YMCA, The Trenton Children’s Chorus, Centurion Ministries, and was an elder at Nassau Presbyterian Church.

Later years were spent traveling with Jim on business as they visited clients, researched companies, and attended conferences worldwide. She enjoyed walking, exploring the cities, and bringing home gifts for her many grandchildren. Nancye loved to make good friends and be with people. Her warmth and genuine interest in others always came through.

Gatherings at 486 Rosedale Road with friends and family were ribald; full of amazing food at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, birthdays, or for any reason, really. She loved to share her food and home with others. Her legacy in this regard has been assumed by the rest of the well-fed Fitzpatrick clan — four children, 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and perhaps expanding even further.

Jim fondly dubbed her “The Rose of Rosedale Road” and she was. Witty to the end, wry with a wink and a smile, always active either digging in her garden, mowing her lawn, preparing food, volunteering in Trenton, walking until her knees played out after 100 years; she will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Rest in Peace Nancye — Jim is ready and waiting for you!

A service of remembrance and celebration will be held Saturday, December 10 at 11 a.m. in the Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Centurion Ministries.

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

November 16, 2022

Obituaries 11/16/2022

Lawrence J. Perks

Larry Perks, 83, passed away at Merwick Rehabilitation facility in Plainsboro on Saturday, November 12, 2022 following a long illness.

Larry was born in his grandparents’ farmhouse on Cherry Valley Road in Princeton Township on August 13, 1939. He was the son of the late Helen Parriski Perks and Thomas C. Perks Sr. and the brother of the late Thomas C. Perks Jr. and uncle of his late niece Sheila Perks Fisher.

Larry attended Princeton schools and graduated from Princeton High School in 1957. He was employed as a mason by his father until the mid-1970s when he and his brother took over the family business when his father retired. In 1979 Larry was seriously injured in an auto accident that left him unable to return to his line of work.

For many years he was a die-hard fan of Princeton University men’s and women’s basketball teams. He also attended the men’s practice sessions and operated the clock and scoreboard for the team as they practiced. It became a “labor of love” for him. He attended just about every home game the team played since before the days of Bill Bradley.

Larry is survived by several nieces and a nephew. He is also survived by his dear companion, Mary Pelc, with whom he has resided for many, many years, and by several cousins, both in the area and out of town.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in Princeton Cemetery on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in his memory to St. Paul’s Parish, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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William Hamilton Fonger

William Hamilton Fonger, PhD (September 19, 1925 – October 3, 2022), passed away in Milton, Delaware. He was born in Chicago, IL, where he grew up.

After serving in the Navy, Bill received his undergraduate, graduate, and PhD degrees from the University of Chicago. He moved to Princeton, NJ, in 1953 and worked at RCA Labs, David Sarnoff Research Center, until 1987. 

Bill was predeceased by his wife Carol Perkins Fonger in 1989. Bill remained in Princeton until 2014 when he moved in with his son, Robert, and son-in-law, Joseph Pecht. William is survived by his three children, Lesley Fonger Faber, Robert Fonger, and Jillanne Chester, as well as six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

November 9, 2022

Obituaries November 9, 2022

James H. Litton

James H. Litton, 87, of Lawrenceville died Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Brighten Gardens of Florham Park in Florham Park, New Jersey, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Born in Charleston, West Virginia he resided most of his life in Lawrenceville, NJ. James was an internationally acclaimed choral conductor and educator, renowned for teaching young people how to sing. Recognizing his talent and passion for music, his parents found a way to buy him a piano and to pay for piano lessons at the Mason College of Music and Fine Arts in Charleston. His piano teacher encouraged him to progress to the organ, finding him a position as his assistant organist at a local church to get him access to an instrument for practice. That teacher later convinced him to pursue his college studies at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, to study under Dr. Alexander McCurdy. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music, and continued postgraduate studies at Canterbury Cathedral in England with Dr. Allan Wicks.

His choral music career spanned over 60 years, serving as organist, choirmaster, and music director at the American Boychoir School, Washington National Cathedral, St. Bartholomew’s Church (New York), Trinity Church (Princeton), Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis), and Trinity Episcopal Church (Southport, CT). He also served as organist at several churches during his graduate and undergraduate studies at Westminster Choir College (now of Rider University) and while in high school. James toured with his various choirs and led choral festivals worldwide. He prepared his choirs for performances of major works with many of the world’s outstanding orchestras, and for several dozens of recordings, including a track with the American Boychoir on a platinum album by Michael W. Smith, Go West Young Man. An accomplished organist, James played organ concerts throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Asia.

He was an assistant professor of organ and head of the church music department at Westminster Choir College and the C. F. Seabrook Director of Music at Princeton Theological Seminary. He also served as visiting lecturer at Virginia Theological Seminary and at Sewanee: The University of the South.

A Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music, James was awarded honorary Doctor of Music degrees from the University of Charleston and from the Westminster Choir College of Rider University. The Litton-Lodal music directorship of the American Boychoir School was endowed by a gift from Jan and Elizabeth Lodal in honor of his career.

As a member and vice chairman of the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Church Music, he participated in the preparation and publication of the Episcopal Hymnal, 1982. He was also the editor of the Plainsong Psalter for the Episcopal Church.

James was a co-founder and former president of the Association of Anglican Musicians, which was founded in 1966 and continues to thrive today. He also founded many choral ensembles in West Virginia, Connecticut, Indiana, New Jersey, and New York.

James met his beloved late wife, Lou Ann, in the seventh grade in Charleston, West Virginia, brought together by their mutual love of music. They married after graduating from college in 1957. Married for almost 55 years, Jim and Lou Ann enjoyed vacations and tours with the many choral groups he led throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Their four children were born in Southport, CT, and Indianapolis, IN, and grew up in Lawrenceville, NJ. Cherished family memories include long drives to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in the family station wagon and a trip to Maine and the maritime provinces of Canada in a rented RV. Family trips often included stops to see organs in churches miles out of the way of the stated destination. James was a resident of Lawrenceville for more than 50 years, before moving to Hightstown, NJ, and then to Florham Park, NJ.

Son of the late J. Howard and Bessie Blue (Binford) Litton, he is predeceased by his beloved wife Lou Ann. He was a very devoted caregiver for Lou Ann as she fought her own battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He is also predeceased by his son-in-law James Purdon, and his brother-in-law William Ray. James is survived by his son Bruce Litton and his daughter-in-law Patricia of Bedminster, NJ; his daughter Deborah Purdon of Maplewood, NJ; his son David Litton and his daughter-in-law Carol Dingeldey of West Hartford, CT; and his son Richard Litton and daughter-in-law Alysia of Wall Township, NJ; sister Betty Ray of Charlottesville, VA; and grandchildren Matthew Litton of Costa Mesa, CA, Kiersten Litton of Asbury Park, NJ, and Kyle Litton of Hoboken, NJ.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

The Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton. A reception in the church social hall will follow the service.

The committal will take place at a later date at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in the village of Litton in Somerset County and the Diocese of Bath and Wells in England.

The family would like to thank his excellent caregivers and the staff at Meadow Lakes, Always Best Care, and especially Brighton Gardens of Florham Park for their attentive and loving care of Jim.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Association of Anglican Musicians James Litton Grant for Choral Training (anglicanmusicians.org/litton-gift/) and the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).

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Melva Gage Madsen
April 27, 1937 – September 19, 2022

Beloved “Aunt Mel” to three generations of nieces and nephews, and dear friend to many more, Melva Frances Gage Madsen passed away at age 85 in Plainsboro, NJ, after an extended illness. She was born April 27, 1937 to Laurence and Fern (Moss) Gage in the kitchen of their Brookfield Twp. farmhouse. After graduating from the one-room Cordial Grade School and Ottawa High School, she earned a BS in Commercial Teaching from the University of Illinois in 1959 and later, her Master’s from Indiana University.

Melva taught typing and shorthand for two years at Saybrook Arrowsmith High School, Saybrook, IL, and three years at Dixon High School in Dixon, IL. Later she worked as an Executive Assistant for 27 years at the Arthur Andersen international public accounting firm. Finally, Melva transferred for four years to Andersen’s Consulting Division (now known as Accenture) from which she retired in 1999.

In retirement Melva enjoyed flower arranging in which she had excelled as a teen in the Brookfield 4-H Club. For 60 years she provided organ accompaniment for weddings and congregations, including McKinley Church on the U of I Campus, Brookfield Presbyterian Church until it closed in 1975, and the Congregational Church in Marseilles for 10 years until 2009.

Simultaneously, while remaining single, Melva was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Illini chapter, serving two terms as Regent. She was also a music aficionado and sports fan, holding season tickets for 30 years to Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts and University of Illinois football and basketball games.

At her 50th U of I class reunion in 2009, life changed when Ed Madsen, a classmate she had not seen for 50 years, invited Melva to a dinner date. Regaling in happy memories, including their first date attending a Louis Armstrong concert in 1957, embers of romance were rekindled.  Before the weekend was over, Ed coaxed her to his side at the piano while he played and sang his original composition.  He began with the words “Oh give me an Illinois Girl,” and ended with “Melva, will you marry me?”  Time and again when this story has been retold, someone exclaims: “There is still hope!”

Married in 2010, their 50-year “whirlwind romance” was capped with 12 joyful years of marriage. Living mostly at Ed’s home in Princeton, NJ, their travels included honeymooning in Denmark, and a memorable road trip to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming as well frequent holiday visits with Ed’s family  at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.

Melva was predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Laurence “Larry” F. (Ruth) Gage and Robert L. (Doris) Gage.  She is survived by her husband, Edgar B. Madsen; nieces Laurie Gage and Linda (Brian) Fluty; nephews Read Gage, Bruce (Cheryl) Gage, Robert “Reg” (Janet) Gage, and Duane (Cathy) Gage; as well as more than 30 grand and great-grand nephews and nieces.

A memorial service for Melva will be held at Nassau Presbyterian Church on Monday, November 14 at 3 p.m. Memorial gifts may be directed to a charity of your choice or Kemmerer Village School, 941 N. 2500 East Road, Assumption, IL 62510.

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Frank Rainer Schmidt
Architect

Frank Schmidt, 79, passed away abruptly on November 1, 2022 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. His passion for architecture defined his life, forever taking on new challenges and striving to make a difference through design. His empathic approach to his clients allowed him to sense and understand their hopes and wishes and to transform them into reality. It was this ability to connect with people through words and design that he was such a well-liked architect — and it was also the foundation for his eternal love for music.

A neighbor wrote this in memory of Frank: “Frank completed this neighborhood with his unique and loved character. We are going to miss his kindness and generosity of spirit. We are going to miss his piano music streaming out of the windows in the evenings. We are going to miss his spur-of-the-moment political concerns and discussions. In his special way, he made our neighborhood a ‘paradise’ for us all.”

Frank is survived by his wife, Dodi; his daughter-in-law, Marjorie; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will take place in the spring.

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Connie Marks

Connie Marks, for more than 35 years an elementary school teacher in Philadelphia, died November 4, 2022, at 95. She was beloved in her neighborhood of Northeast Philly, where she got hundreds of children off to a strong academic start and helped them become kind, curious, and self-confident human beings. Every school has a teacher for whom parents petition the principal, begging for their children to be in that class. Connie was that teacher. Connie lived in Princeton, N.J., since 2005.

Born July 15, 1927, in Philadelphia, Constance Pearl Seidler was the daughter of Morris and Rose Seidler, who owned a dry-goods store in Minersville, Pa., a town known for its anthracite coal. She was the middle child, coming after brother Edwin and before baby sister Lois. The Seidlers were among only a few Jewish families in the community.

Connie’s high school yearbook singled her out as “the career girl” of the class. She loved reading, and as a high school student, she hoped to become a librarian. Minersville’s public library had closed in 1941, and in 1944, Connie and three classmates came up with a project to reopen it. With the help of a teacher, they cleaned all the books and helped to get the building ready. The library reopened in November of that year and remains open today.

After high school, Connie attended Penn State University, commuting to a satellite campus for the first two years. Her family had lost the dry-goods store as a result of the Great Depression, and so did not have money to send her for a master’s degree, which she would need to become a librarian. She majored in education instead. For the rest of her life, she said this was one of the best things that ever happened to her.

Connie adored teaching, and her students adored her. Her first teaching job was at the Landreth School in Philadelphia. But she spent almost her entire career — 35 years — at the school her own children attended, Louis H. Farrell Elementary School, just a couple of blocks from her Northeast Philadelphia home. She taught first and second grade — sometimes together — and led school assemblies and conducted the chorus. Some of her success can be attributed to what came to be known as the “Connie look”: She would stand silently at the front of a roomful of rambunctious 6-year-olds, and within seconds, the children would miraculously settle into silence.

In the 1970s, when Northeast Philly drew Jewish immigrants from the Soviet Union and refugees from Vietnam, Connie advocated for these students and gave them clothing, toys, and equipment from her family’s closets. “If you haven’t worn it, played with it, or used it in a year, you don’t need it,” her daughter, Marilyn, recalls Connie telling her. Connie stressed that her daughter should never say anything if she saw another child wearing her coat or riding her bike in the schoolyard, as this would embarrass the child.

Connie’s success and devotion to teaching were recognized by her supervisors and others. She was nominated multiple times by district leaders to be national Teacher of the Year, and when she retired, the City Council adopted a resolution lauding her for “tapping into the inquisitive minds of children, and instilling pride and confidence in her students … so no child slips through the system unnoticed.” A council member presented the resolution at a surprise school assembly.

She was a strong supporter of her union, the American Federation of Teachers. But when the union went on strike for better working conditions — occasionally for weeks at a time — Connie worried that children in her class would fall behind. Each day, after spending the morning on the picket line, Connie would spend the afternoon tutoring children at her home. The lessons were free, though some families offered payment in lasagnas and cakes.
The great love of Connie’s life was Morris Marks, whom she met when they lived across the street from each other in Philadelphia. They were married for 64 years, until Morris died in May 2018. Together, they traveled around the country and the world, visiting Israel, the United Kingdom, and finally — in her late 70s — China, where their son, Ted, was working. The couple moved to Tamarac, Florida, for several years after retirement, where they built a network of close friends and were introduced to the pleasures of early-bird dinners. In 2005, health concerns brought them back to the Northeast, where they could be close to their daughter.

Connie enjoyed living in Princeton, where she found friends among neighbors and fellow members of her book club, the local chapter of Jewish Women International, and the Let’s Talk group meeting at the Princeton Senior Resource Center. She never missed an election and grew especially interested in politics later in life. She attended her first political fundraiser — for Barack Obama — when she was 81 years old.

Connie is survived by her children and children-in-law, Marilyn Marks Tal and Reli Tal of Princeton, with whom she lived; and Ted and Ilene Fluss Marks of San Jose, California. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Rinat Ma’ayan Tal, Eliana Lauren Marks, and Zachary Aaron Marks. In recent years, she most cherished her time with Rinat, Eliana, and Zack.

Funeral services and burial were held Sunday, November 6, at Princeton Cemetery.

The family suggests that contributions in her memory be sent to the Minersville, Pa., public library (minersvillelibrary.org); the Home and School Association at Farrell Elementary School (c/of Debbie Simon, Farrell School, 8300 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19152); Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org); or HIAS (hias.org).

Arrangements are by Orland’s Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit Connie’s obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

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Peter M. O’Neill

Peter Michael O’Neill (1946-2022) passed away peacefully on October 25 after a valiant, graceful struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Recognized by his warm smile and kind heart, Peter was also known for his attentiveness, moral compass, and sense of humor. While battling a relentlessly debilitating disease in his final years, Peter continued to practice law, play golf, watch the Yankees and the Giants (with great vigor!), share book recommendations, and craft a steady stream of jokes until the end.

Peter was born in Summit, New Jersey, on November 22, 1946 to the late Peter E. O’Neill, a decorated World War II veteran, and Patricia O’Neill. He and his sister, Tina O’Neill Finn, grew up in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, and he graduated from Mountain Lakes High School in 1964, where he lettered in basketball and track. From Mountain Lakes, Peter went on to central New York to attend Colgate University where he ran track earning letters each year along with the “All-East” accolade. The hills of Colgate were never far from Peter’s heart, as he organized countless events and reunions, including chairing his 50th reunion committee.

At the time of his death Peter was a member of the Colgate Alumni Council and nominated for another term.

As he wrote in the 50th reunion book “Tapestry”: “My life changed on June 8, 1968, when just two weeks after graduating from Colgate, I met my future wife, Anne … I was as single and unattached as you could be, when Jeff LaCour a fellow Fiji asked me to go to a house around the corner and pick up a lifeguard he worked with who would not attend his party alone. Rang the doorbell, and Anne walked into my life.”

With his characteristic sense of purpose, he headed to Boston University School of Law while Anne went to the western part of Massachusetts as a freshman at Smith College. Two months after Peter’s graduation from law school in June 1971, he and Anne married on August 28th, surrounded by friends and their families.

After a stint in the Essex County Prosecutor’s office in Newark trying criminal cases on behalf of the State, Peter joined a small firm in Newark. Then one enlightened day after several years of coming home to Princeton and finding his children asleep, he decided to take his legal skills to Princeton — and with any luck be home for dinner with his family. He established a well-respected and busy law practice on Nassau Street, representing individuals and businesses in a variety of transactional and litigation matters. At the time of his death, Peter was with the law firm of Stevens & Lee, in Lawrenceville.

In addition to his passions for Colgate, law, and his family, Peter embraced golf after the semi-retirement of his tennis racquet. He was a member of The Bedens Brook Club, where he was a past president, and TPC Jasna Polana, where he was on the Board of Governors. Peter and Anne shared this love of golf together playing numerous courses across the U.S. and abroad with various friends and family members. On September 22, 1998, at Tullyhogue, the mystical site in County Tyrone, of the O’Neill clan, Peter was crowned Chieftain. Ireland and his passion for golf would be forever linked.

He is survived by his wife, Anne; his three children, Katie O’Neill Burgener of Boston, MA, Sarah O’Neill Kreter of Londonderry, NH, and Michael Sean O’Neill of Bloomfield, NJ; their spouses Phil Burgener, Justin Kreter, and Brittany Trevenen O’Neill; and his six grandchildren, Annabel, Eloise, Cody, Gunnar, Abigail, and Elizabeth. Peter is also survived by his sister, Tina, his niece, Christen, and a legion of loving Conley family relatives (Anne is one of 11 siblings).

Peter relished connecting with friends and family near and far, playing amateur deejay, dancing with Anne whether in the living room or on a wedding dance floor, traveling with friends and family, cooking and grilling, devouring non-fiction and fiction alike, along with reading anything to his grandchildren. And being a grateful citizen of the Princeton community for over 50 years.

In honor of Peter’s lifelong pursuit of strength in both mind and body, donations in his memory can be made to Colgate University or Princeton Medical Center Foundation.

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

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Raymond Leroy Hallows

Raymond Leroy Hallows, 93, of Skillman, NJ, died on October 27, 2022, close to his loving family.

Ray grew up in Joplin, Missouri. Since he, age 12, bought his first Bolex movie camera, his passion was documenting family memories in motion pictures and video.

Ray received a BSEE degree in 1952 from Missouri University – Science and Technology. Upon graduation, Ray joined the Radio Corporation of America. Following RCA, Ray’s engineering positions were with New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority, Mercer County Community College, Advanced Technology Systems in Fairlawn, NJ, EMR Photoelectric in Princeton, and CBS in New York.

He married Barbara Gould in 1962 and they raised three children, Laurie, Kenneth, and Gail in Lawrenceville, NJ. Ray loved the family home, which he maintained attentively for 57 years. There, he assembled an extensive collection of editing and projection equipment. He enjoyed working on audio visual projects and running his film-to-tape and digital editing and transfer service. Over the years, there were many family reunions, especially on Star Island, in the historic Isles of Shoals, 10 miles off Portsmouth, NH.

He was a Life Member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, serving as Manager and Membership Chairman in Philadelphia, and on the Board of Editors of the SMPTE Journal.

He was also a member of the Princeton Chapter of the SPEBSQSA (Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America). His involvement in this group inspired his lifelong habit of spontaneously erupting into humorous song. This irreverent and joyful practice continued to his final days. A master of the English language, he enjoyed crossword puzzles, and playfully recited puns, poetry, limericks, and famous quotations.

Ray is predeceased by his sister, Jean Ann and his first granddaughter, Evan Lee. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Hallows; three children: Laurie (John), Kenneth (Nuria), and Gail (Jonathan); eight grandchildren: Eleanor, Theo, Brian, Alexander, Andrew, Kale, Adelaide, and Lane; nieces, Lani, Diane, and nephew, David and their families.

A private burial and life celebration tribute was held at the Natural Burial Space at Rosemont Cemetery, in Hunterdon County, NJ.

A memorial service is planned for Spring 2023 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (UUCP), 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, NJ 08540.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UUCP, or the Star Island Corporation, Portsmouth, NH, or Doctors Without Borders.

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Edwin Paul Beckerman

Edwin Paul Beckerman, the library director who helped transform a patchwork of small, unaffiliated book rooms into the modern Woodbridge Library System, died Saturday, October 29 at age 94. He had been a Princeton resident since 1968.

“He was the Garibaldi of our system,” said his daughter-in-law, Wenda Rottweiler, the current coordinator of the Woodbridge Main Library, who has been with the system since 1989. “He brought everything together, and brought it into the modern age.”

Ed was also an author, teacher, and past president of the New Jersey Library Association (1970-1971) whose ideas about library construction and management had an influence that went beyond New Jersey.

He was a trustee of the Princeton Public Library for more than a decade, and did consulting work for more than 100 libraries in the tri-state area and beyond. His 1994 book Administration of the Public Library, written with Alice Gertzog, has become a standard text.

“He always had wisdom to share with us, and he was so generous with his time,” recalled Leslie Burger, past president of the American Library Association, who was mentored by Beckerman. “He was respected by everybody.”

When Beckerman arrived in Woodbridge, in 1964, each section of the sprawling township had its own independent library — stocked with a motley assortment of donated books. Of some 70,000 books in the eight sites, he later recalled, maybe 20,000 were worth keeping. One chemistry book dated back to 1913.

Beckerman knit the system together, turning the independent libraries into branches, hiring qualified personnel, and bringing in a flood of new — and properly vetted — books and periodicals.

Four new branch libraries were built during his 26-year tenure: in Iselin, Fords, Port Reading, and Colonia. In 1974, he cut the ribbon on the new $2.9 million Woodbridge Main Library on Route 35. Its collection included 175,000 books, 500 films, and 900 periodicals. When he’d arrived, the total number of subscriptions — between all eight township libraries — had been 20.

“He had the ability to see the future,” Burger said.

Ed, the son of Morris and Elizabeth Beckerman, grew up in the Bronx, in the shadow of Yankee Stadium. From their building, they could literally see into it. “We used to be able to go up to the roof of my house, take a radio, and see the game,” he recalled in 1990.

It was a neighborhood of immigrants and strivers. Future singer Eydie Gormé was a local. So was Stanley Kubrick, Ed’s classmate (and occasional ping-pong partner) at William Howard Taft High School. Ed’s brother, Bernard Beckerman, was to become a noted Shakespeare scholar. Ed had been active in theater himself, but a hearing impairment led him away from the stage, and into library work.

After getting a BA from the University of Missouri and MLS degree from Columbia, he found work as a consultant for the New York Public Library — with special emphasis on outreach. He helped pioneer bookmobile programs for underserved communities, and worked in Harlem in the mid-1950s. Social justice was important to him: one of his proudest achievements, in Woodbridge, was the creation of Middlesex County’s first Head Start program.
Ed married librarian Jean Friedburg in 1954. They had three children: James, Lee, and Peter. Jean died in June 2020.

In 1963, in Woodbridge, there was a referendum. Should those scattered, antiquated libraries be brought into the 20th century? They should. Beckerman was by then known in the field; he had worked at the Leicester City Public Library in England (as part of a Department of State exchange program) and was assistant director of the Yonkers N.Y. Public Library. He was tapped for the job.

Ed had a mandate. But that wasn’t enough. One of his key insights was that library management was a political job.

Funding depended on the good will of elected officials — some of whom might have little interest in books.

So he made himself a familiar figure in Woodbridge. He hobnobbed with mayors, and advocated for libraries at town council meetings and Rotary Club get-togethers. Politics and The American Public Library: Creating Political Support for Library Goals, published in 1996, was his master class on the subject.

How right he was became apparent in 1965, when he faced strong headwinds from critics.

Book bans are headline news today. But they aren’t new. Two novels, the bawdy satire Candy and the grimly realistic Last Exit to Brooklyn, were causing a stir. “Obscene and rotten filth,” one former councilman called them.

Beckerman had both books on his shelves. Worse, he had actually spoken at a Rutgers symposium on censorship, co-sponsored by the ACLU. There were some who wanted his head.

But Ed had laid the groundwork. He had allies in city hall. He also had a knack for bridge-building, for patiently explaining his beliefs. “The question of the value of the material is disagreed upon among the critics,” he said. He himself found Last Exit “brilliant, revolting.” But shouldn’t people be allowed to make up their own minds? In a unanimous vote, the library board of trustees reaffirmed the book selection and gave Beckerman their full backing.

“Tact,” read a plaque on Ed’s desk — it was a paraphrase of Churchill — “is when you tell someone to go to hell, and they can’t wait to get there.” Ed Beckerman was a very tactful man.

Another example of his tact — and decency — was recalled by his son Lee. They were eating at a New York cafeteria, and saw a homeless man collecting scraps. Ed quietly dropped a bill on the ground, then picked it up and handed it to the man, saying, “I think you dropped this.”

“To me, not only the empathy to recognize a person in need, but the ability to help without assaulting the other person’s dignity, was masterful,” Lee said.

Ed was a lifelong Yankee fan, Civil War enthusiast, theater aficionado, Mozart lover, and folk music buff who had been playing guitar since age 20. He was known to his neighbors at Brandywine Living, his home since 2017, for playing in the weekly jam sessions with other residents.

He was a kind, gentle, generous man who will be missed by his sons Jim, Lee, and Peter and their spouses, Tom, Wendi, and Eileen; his grandchildren Max, Amelia, Kai, and Lydia; his niece Susan Braun; and his nephews Michael Beckerman, Jonathan Beckerman, and Michael Braun.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Jersey Library Association scholarship fund at njla.org or the ACLU at aclu.org.

Extend condolences and share memories at The KimbleFuneralHome.com.

November 2, 2022

Obituaries 11/2/2022

Dorothy Ryfun Senich

Dorothy Ryfun Senich passed away peacefully in her home in Albuquerque, NM, on October 18 at the age of 96. She was born in 1925 in Syracuse, NY, the youngest, and last surviving, of seven children. 

Dorothy spent two years in Germany from 1948-1950 as a Defense Department Program Recreation Director and participated in the Berlin Airlift. She was an accomplished ballerina and taught ballroom dancing for Arthur Murray upon her return to New York City. Dorothy was also a bonds salesman for Dun & Bradstreet.

She married Mike Senich, cartoonist, in 1953. She raised two daughters and promoted Mike’s art, eventually opening the Misen Art Gallery on Nassau Street in Princeton, NJ. Dorothy was an active environmentalist and believed that nutrition, not medication, was the way to a healthy life. 

She is survived by her daughters Barbara Trembley and Jane Maciag Ryfun, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. All glory to God. Many thanks to Heartland Hospice for their kind care during her last months. 

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John Wells

John Wells, 69, of Pennington, passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 5, from complications associated with Parkinson’s disease. 

Born in Princeton, NJ, to Stanley and Eleanor Wells, and raised with Quaker values, John was imbued with exceptional patience and perseverance, empowering him to build and maintain relationships across the most disparate groups. In 1978, John met Corinne Reslier at the Nassau Inn in Princeton. John and Corinne married in September 1979 and subsequently had two children, Casey Victoria and James August.

John’s first professional job was with Peterson’s Guides. He started as an editor and advanced through self-taught skills to the roles of database manager and technical liaison, leading to a 30-odd year career in the college publishing industry. 

As a child, John was exposed to the wonders of nature through regular trips to the wilderness of upstate NY. In 1997 he completed a lifelong goal of joining the ranks of the Adirondack 46ers, and subsequently inspired many more to pursue the honor. His love for the wilderness of upstate NY led him to start writing a fantasy novel based on local Adirondack features.

Throughout his adult life, John pursed many passions. He became an accomplished self-taught blues musician and composer who graced local audiences with his passionate slide guitar and strong voice while particpating in three local bands. An award-winning photographer with an eye for natural surrealism and industrial ruins, John effortlessly captured beauty in natural and man-made surroundings. He was an accomplished birder, able to identify birds not only visually but by their songs. He attained a brown belt in karate, stopping short of earning a black belt due to the disease that was progressing.

John was predeceased by his parents and his brother Samuel. He is survived by his wife Corinne, daughter Casey and son-in-law Sean O’Shea, son James Reslier-Wells, and granddaughter Eleanor O’Shea, and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, loving and caring in-laws, and many long-term friends who defy description.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, December 3 at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Parkinson Alliance (parkinsonalliance.org).

———

James F. O’Brien

James F. O’Brien, age 82, of Zagreb, Croatia, died on October 6, 2022. Born in Princeton, New Jersey, he attended the Lawrenceville School, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1962. He lived for a time in Putney, Vermont, but resided in Europe most of his life.  

James’ career spanned journalism, teaching linguistics, and collecting and trading rare books. He was a championship bridge player.

Son of the late Charles Russell and Anne Callan O’Brien, brother of the late Mary Russell O’Brien, he is survived by his siblings, Carol Desmond, Charlotte Kenney, and Charles O’Brien.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on November 8 at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will be in the family site at St. Paul’s Cemetery. 

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

———

Mary Russell O’Brien

Mary Russell O’Brien, age 73, a longtime resident of Lexington MA, but recently of Marlborough MA, died on October 23, 2022. Born in Princeton, New Jersey, she attended the Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton and graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees respectively from Wheaton College and the Missouri School of Journalism.

“Rusty,” as she was known to friends, was a journalist and writer for Gannett newspapers, Time Life magazines, and several large corporations. 

Daughter of the late Charles Russell and Anne Callan O”Brien, sister of the late James O’Brien, she is survived by her siblings, Carol Desmond, Charlotte Kenney, and Charles O’Brien. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on November 8 at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will be private. 

Donations in her memory can be made to the Stuart School in Princeton in support of the Callan O’Brien Family Scholarship Endowment.

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

———

Susan Behr Travers

Lifelong resident of Princeton, Susan Behr Travers, passed away in early October at the age of 80 years (young) surrounded by family and loved ones. 

She is survived by her children, Kimberly Behr (Travers) Hansen (Irving, TX) and Benjamin Howell Travers (Mill Valley, CA); grandchildren, Timothy Hansen, Mary Hansen, Alexis Travers, Elizabeth Travers, and Christopher Travers; siblings, Lynn (Behr) Sanford (Princeton, NJ), Sally (Behr) Ogden Fisher (Palm Beach, FL), and Elaine (Behr) King (Dover, MA). 

ROSE — having been raised by and loved by this beautiful woman.
THORN — watching her suffer so terribly these last six months and losing her in early October.
BUD — anxiously awaiting the day when we can see her again in her heavenly garden (which we’re sure will be spectacular!).

Rest in Grace, Mom/Nonnie/Susie. We will always be forever grateful for your love. Your adventures have only just begun…

Thank you to all of her caregivers, medical and hospice care teams, friends and family that have helped us through these last six months. You are all heaven sent.

We will be having a celebration of life service at a later date, but, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local Master Gardeners, Nature Center, Animal Rescue Center, or favorite National Park in honor of mom’s love of nature, fur babies, and the great outdoors.

Prayers, Peace, Love, and Strength. 

———

Barbara Kinney Kahora Marion

Barbara Kinney Kahora Marion died peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Barbara was born in Bridgewater, NJ, and resided in New Jersey until 2021 when she moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, to be near family and friends. She loved the life she created at Lourdes McKeen and all of her new friends there.

Barbara attended Somerville High School and then pursued her lifelong dream to become a nurse. Graduating from Orange Memorial Nursing School in 1964, she joined several of her sisters and brother with a career in medicine. She worked as an operating room nurse for 35 years and then as a volunteer hospice nurse. Above all, Barbara was known for her ability to connect with people. She was the kindest person in any room and her melodic soothing voice was characteristic of her personality. Barbara loved to share laughter and joy, always with a twinkle in her dancing blue eyes and her magnetic charm at the forefront.

An avid traveler, Barbara had managed to visit many exotic places, including five of the seven continents. Among her favorites were Paris, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Italy. Since her husband was a former surgeon, the two made jewelry-making into a hobby and would visit faraway places looking for unique gems.

Barbara loved spending the summers in Nantucket, MA, with her family and created a lifetime of memories there with her beloved grandchildren, George, Teddy, Campbell, and Barbara (Lolly) and blond dachshunds Sugar and Honey that never left her side.

She is predeceased by her husband Dr. Russell Marion and parents Elizabeth and Thomas Quincy Kinney. She is survived by a daughter, Beth Kahora Taylor and son-in-law, George “Beau” Taylor; grandchildren, George, Theodore “Teddy,” William “Campbell,” and Barbara “Lolly”; sisters Kathy, Joyce, Rose, Nancy and brother Richard “Duke”; beloved nieces and nephews; and two lifelong friends, Betsy and Maryann. She will be missed immeasurably.

Services were at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 6411 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL on Tuesday, November 1.

Church Service will be Wednesday, November 2 at 9 a.m. at Royal Ponciana Chapel, 60 Coconut Row, Palm Beach, FL.

———

Lucienne “Loulette” Wolfson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister, Lucienne “Loulette” Wolfson, 82, on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, following a courageous, hard-fought battle with cancer.

Born in Bordeaux France, to Nissim and Marie Dray, she met the love of her life, the late Dr. Joseph Wolfson, DDS, in Bordeaux and moved to the U.S. with him in 1962 to begin their family. Recognized by many as Lou Lou, she has always been well-known for her spirited disposition, unwavering strength, and sense of humor. She tackled many professional roles throughout her life, including ballet teacher, dress shop owner in the Princeton area, and fashion management in New York City.

She is survived by her three daughters, Erika Cosentino, Daniele Cardelia, and Nicole Deluca, and six grandchildren — Drew, Bridget, Patrick, Alyssa, Charlotte, and Jack — the lights of her life, as well as her seven brothers and sisters.

Funeral services were on Friday, October 28 at Adath Israel Congregation, 1958 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville. Interment was private at Washington Crossing Veterans Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit the obituaries page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

October 26, 2022

Obituaries 10/26/2022

Robert (Bobby) Willig

Robert (Bobby) Willig, Professor Emeritus of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Economics of the U.S. Department of Justice, passed away on October 21, 2022 in Ewing, NJ.

Bobby was born in Brooklyn, NY, and received his Ph.D. in Economics and an M.S in Operations Research from Stanford University, and an A.B. in Mathematics from Harvard University. He began his career at Bell Labs in Princeton, becoming Supervisor in the prestigious Economics Research group. After just five years, he was recruited to join the faculty of Princeton University as a full professor. He taught for 43 years at the School of Public and International Affairs and the Economics Department at Princeton University, and served as the Faculty Chair of the Master’s Program in Public Affairs. Bobby’s research and teaching specialized in the fields of industrial organization, regulation, antitrust, and welfare theory.

Bobby consulted for the Federal Trade Commission, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, diverse national governments, and numerous private clients. Along with partners Janusz Ordover, Jon Orszag, and Meg Guerin-Calvert, he founded Compass Lexecon, the largest economic consulting firm in the world.

Over his long and distinguished career, Bobby has been the influencer or driver of many of the most important regulatory and antitrust events of the past 50 years.

From 1989 to 1991, Bobby served as the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Economics in the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice. In that role, he was critical to the development of the DoJ/FTC Horizontal Merger Guidelines, which define how the antitrust authorities of the federal government analyze mergers. Bobby’s influence forever put economic analysis at the center of merger matters for the US Government. After leaving the Department of Justice, he continued his public service by advising state, federal, and international agencies on welfare-enhancing economic regulation.

He was qualified by numerous courts, regulatory bodies, and arbitrators as an expert witness in the fields of microeconomics and industrial organization and their areas of application such as competition policy, pricing, costing, valuation, intellectual property, and contractual relations.

His most cited work is his seminal 1982 book, Contestable Markets and the Theory of Industry Structure with William Baumol and John Panzar. This idea of “contestable” markets has had a lasting impact on the field and the analysis remains unsurpassed to this day.

Bobby is also the author of the book Welfare Analysis of Policies Affecting Prices and Products, and he wrote over 80 articles in professional economics and law literatures. His influential paper “Consumer’s Surplus without Apology” opened the door for the welfare analysis of imperfectly competitive markets. He was a co-editor of both The Handbook of Industrial Organization and Can Privatization Deliver?: Infrastructure for Latin America and Second Generation Reforms in Infrastructure Services, and served on the editorial boards of the American Economic Review, the Journal of Industrial Economics, and the MIT Press Series on Regulation. He was also elected a Fellow of the Econometric Society just eight years after his Ph.D.

At Princeton University, Bobby brought his real-world experience and contagious passion to undergraduate and graduate classrooms for over four decades. He taught microeconomics in the economic department’s large 101 introductory course, and a popular mid-level course on industrial organization, but his most impactful teaching was to generations of Masters of Public Affairs students. Princeton University estimates that over 1,200 of the world’s leading policymakers owe their microeconomic training to Professor Bobby Willig.

But Bobby considered his greatest accomplishment to be the product of his collaboration with Ginny Mason, his loving wife of 49 years. Together, Bobby and Ginny created four children and raised two nephews who collectively produced 11 children, all of whom received Bobby’s powerful wisdom, guidance, genetics, and unconditional love and support. Most importantly, he gave them a North Star to look up to and live by.

Family was Bobby’s greatest passion and highest priority, followed by his economics work, bridge, mathematics, pinball, pens, poker, and giraffes. Bobby earned the title of Bronze Life Master from the American Contact Bridge League and will forever hold the all-time record 2785 on the pinball machine at the now-defunct Tommy’s Lunch in Cambridge, MA.

Bobby had his own unique way of working. His deepest insights were most often produced between midnight and sunrise. He was intensely and equally intellectual, passionate, clever, nurturing, brilliant, generous, emotional, confident, and loving.

There is little doubt that countless family members, students, colleagues, friends, and all those who intersected with him at some point in his 75 years, were impacted significantly positively, and in many cases profoundly, by Bobby Willig.

Bobby is predeceased by his parents Meg and Jack Willig, and his sister Paula Siegel. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Ginny Mason; his four children Jared Mason Willig (Chief Content Officer, Townsquare Media and former Managing Director, AOL Entertainment) and wife Julia Benedict, Scott Mason Willig (Head of Precious Metal Trading and Managing Director, JP Morgan) and wife Brittany Harris, Brent Mason Willig (Team Lead at The Emerson Group) and wife Sasha Khachatryan, and Alexandra Mason Willig (Vice President at Horizon Media) and husband David Helene; eight grandchildren Samantha, Allison, Jax, Charlotte, Elle, Naomi, Banks, and Jordan Willig (after seven granddaughters, finally a boy!); beloved nephews Danny Siegel and David Siegel and wife Myra Clark-Siegel and children Noa, Elai, and Benjamin.

Funeral services were held October 24 at The Jewish Center of Princeton, with burial at Princeton Cemetery.

Shiva was observed Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25 at the home of Ginny Mason and Bobby Willig.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to NJTL of Trenton (NJTLoftrenton.org) or The Jewish Center of Princeton (thejewishcenterofprinceton.shulcloud.com).

Arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences please visit Bobby’s obituary page at OrlandsMemorialChapel.com.

———

Robert Lawrence Moser, MD

Robert Lawrence Moser, MD, of Skillman, NJ, 70, died peacefully in his vacation villa in Ispica, Sicily. He leaves behind his loving wife, Rosemarie Scolaro Moser, PhD, children, Rachel Moser Vassak (husband, James Vassak) and Alexander Robert Moser (wife, Kristin Grogg), and grandchildren, Serena, Natalie, and Clara Vassak, as well as his sister, Barbara Mattson, and his Scolaro brothers- and sister-in-law (Frank, Vincent, Giovanni, Peter, and Marie Scolaro), and many nieces and nephews.

Raised in Denville and a longtime resident of Princeton, NJ, Dr. Moser was an Eagle Scout, attended Lafayette College (Phi Beta Kappa), was a member of Phi Kappa Psi, achieved his MD at Hahnemann Medical College, and at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Baltimore, completed residencies in Clinical and Anatomic Pathology, serving as Chief Resident.

Dr. Moser’s positions included Medical Director of Pathology and CMIO at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, NJ, President of Pathology Associates of Delaware Valley, in Princeton, NJ, and Co-Chair of the Laboratory Services Council for Trinity Health. He brought life-saving plasmapheresis services to Mercer County. Dr. Moser was a dedicated physician, twice receiving the Spirit of St. Francis Award. Dr. Moser had devoted himself to the religious education (RCIA) of those joining the Roman Catholic Church.

Dr. Moser enjoyed audio books, American Standards music, golf, nature, and gardening. He took great joy in his Sicilian villa with vineyard, olive grove, gardens, and a fountain which he restored, beach walks on the Mediterranean collecting shells, and hosting family vacations.

Family, friends, and co-workers will profoundly miss his intelligence, humility, and friendliness. Dr. Moser leaves a legacy of enduring kindness and generosity. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 29 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul Parish, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ.  

Visit TheKimbleFuneralHome.com for full obituary.

October 19, 2022

Obituaries 10/19/2022

Dietrich Meyerhofer

Dietrich Meyerhofer, 91, of Lenox, MA, died Friday, September 30 at Berkshire Medical Center of old age following an extraordinarily rich life that he shared with his wife, Laurel, his grown children, grandchildren, and ever-present animal companions.

Born in Zurich, Switzerland, September 19, 1931, the son of Ernst A. and Margaret Hanington Meyerhofer, he attended the prestigious Zurich Gymnasium (high school). After moving to the U.S., he attended Cornel University where he received his BS degree and later earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in Physics from MIT in just three years.

A resident of Princeton, NJ, for much of his life, Dietrich raised two children with his first wife, DMay, and was a Solid State Physicist for the RCA Company throughout his career. While in Princeton he was a member of the local school board and a member of the board of directors for McCarter Theatre.

He and his second wife, Laurel Meyerhofer, were set up on a blind date in the summer of 1982 and married just six months later on January 8, 1983. They remained blissfully in love for 40 years, always by one another’s side as they lived a life full of travel, opera, gourmet food and wine, walks in the woods, and special times spent with family and friends. After retirement, they left Princeton for Somers, NY, but the Berkshires was always a favorite getaway. They kept a second home in Great Barrington for more than 25 years. In recent years, they made their home at Kimball Farms in Lenox.

Above all, Dietrich was the kindly patriarch of a large family. Survivors include his wife of Lenox, MA; children Dr. David D. Meyerhofer (Joan Lucas) of Los Alamos, NM, Sandra J. Meyerhofer (Peter Englert) of Berlin, VT, James E. Blechman (Tania) of South Salem, NY, William P. Meyerhofer (William Kwok) of New York, NY, and Andrew D. Blechman of Great Barrington; and his beloved grandchildren Margaret, Peter, Tatiana, Lillie, and Talia. Besides his parents, Dietrich was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy Swan Meyerhofer on February 12, 1981 after 27 years of marriage; and by his brothers Nicholas and Christopher Meyerhofer.

A celebration of the life of Dr. Dietrich Meyerhofer of Lenox will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the A.S.P.C.A. in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240.

———

Harold Borkan

Harold Borkan, who had a long and distinguished career in electronic device research and development at RCA as well as in the U.S. government, died on October 12, 2022, at home. He was 95 years old and had lived in Princeton since 1957. Harold felt blessed to have had a loving family which included three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Borkan was born in Elizabeth, NJ, where he attended elementary and high schools. He was an active Boy Scout, becoming junior assistant scoutmaster with responsibility for directing Troop 14. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy before graduating from high school and was on active duty during 1945-46 as a Seaman First Class radio technician.

He earned a Bachelor in Science in electrical engineering from Rutgers University in 1950 and was the first Rutgers graduate to receive an offer and serve as a Member of the Technical Staff at RCA Laboratories in Princeton. He was instrumental in establishing Eta Kappa Nu, the honorary electrical engineering fraternity at Rutgers. He was also awarded the MS degree from Rutgers.

At RCA Labs, Mr. Borkan’s main research involved innovative camera tubes for the recording of color television programs, and thin-film transistors which led to the thin computer screens common on all laptop computers and monitors. He was awarded nine patents, was the author of several dozen papers, and received two RCA Achievement Awards during his many years at RCA Labs.

Mr. Borkan moved from RCA in 1981 to become Director of the Microelectronics Division of the U.S. Army’s Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory (ETDL) at Fort Monmouth, NJ. There he was responsible for all the Army’s microelectronics R&D. Four years later, he was promoted to Deputy Director of ETDL. While he served at ETDL, the laboratory twice received the Army Laboratory of the Year Award. He retired in 1990.

Mr. Borkan was a member of the Old Guard of Princeton and president of Community Without Walls, House 1. He also served as public service coordinator of 55-Plus; chairman of the Adult Education Committee and later treasurer of The Jewish Center of Princeton; treasurer of the United Jewish Appeal, and for five years as the Princeton Representative on the Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority.

He was married for 52 years to Jean Borkan, who passed away in 2001. He is survived by their three sons, and three daughters-in-law: Gary and Martha Borkan of Melrose, MA; Brad and Anne Borkan, residing in Kew, England; and Ronald and Linda Borkan, living in Flagstaff, AZ. His five grandchildren are Daniel, Benjamin, William, Evy, and Brittany. His great-grandchildren are Ava Borkan and Jasper Borkan. After the passing of his wife Jean, Mr. Borkan was also blessed with a wonderful long-term partner, Hazel Stix.

The family has established “The Harold Borkan Endowed Scholarship” at Rutgers School of Engineering. To honor his life, the family will be most grateful for any contributions made to this fund which supports academically talented electrical engineering students in financial need. Please make check to “Rutgers University Foundation” with note “Harold Borkan Endowed Scholarship.” Send to Rutgers University Foundation, PO Box 193, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0193.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, October 16 at The Jewish Center, Princeton and burial followed at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin, NJ.
Contributions can also be made in his memory to The Jewish Center of Princeton.

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences, please visit Harold’s obituary page at orlandsmemorialchapel.com.

———

James P. Heidere

Dr. James Heidere of Skillman, NJ, passed away on October 12, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 82 years old.

Jim was born in 1940 to Max and Mary Heidere in Philadelphia as the first of three children. Jim attended high school at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia and rowed on the Varsity Crew team in a quad that won the national championship in both 1957 and 1958. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. Jim went on to earn a degree in dentistry at Temple University School of Dentistry. After graduating from dental school, he served in the Public Health Service as a dentist in both San Francisco, CA, and Danbury, CT. Jim completed postgraduate work in periodontics. He worked as a periodontist for 40+ years at the Princeton Dental Group.

Jim is survived by and will be deeply missed by his adoring wife, Stephanie Heidere; sister Maureen Bennett (Mark Bennett); daughters Susan Heidere (Michael Simko), Elizabeth Heidere, Katie Heidere (Scout Broadhead); as well as his grandchildren, Carter and Alex Simko. He is also survived by a niece, Marie Ford, and nephews Mark Bennett and Jeff Bennett. He was predeceased by his sister, Kathy Ford.

Jim was an accomplished pilot and taught flight instruction at both Princeton and Robbinsville airports. He was an active member of the Delaware Valley wing of the Commemorative Air Force. He was also an avid motorcyclist and rode for many years in the Colorado 500. Jim will be remembered for his outstanding intellect, dedication to his patients, many acts of kindness to his friends, and incredible laugh.

Jim was deeply committed to advancing the mission of the Sourland Conservancy in Hopewell, NJ. He provided warm friendship, long hours directing parking at the Mountain Fest, photographing and pitching in at numerous events.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the Parkinson’s & Movement Disorder Alliance (PMD Alliance), The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and the Sourland Conservancy.

There will be a private family burial in Princeton Cemetery. The family will host a Celebration of Life for friends and loved ones to gather and remember Jim at the Antique Barn at Cashel, 145 Wertsville Road, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844 on November 5 from 12-4 p.m.

Photos and tributes may be shared at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

———

Diane T. Campbell

Diane Teresa Campbell, 83, of Princeton, NJ, died Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Princeton Care Center. Born and raised in Poland, she resided most of her life in Philadelphia where she owned and operated Campbell’s Deli in the Kensington neighborhood. She eventually moved to Princeton in 2013. Diane was a communicant at Queen of the Universe Church, Levittown; St. Adalbert’s Church, Port Richmond (Philadelphia); and St. Paul’s Church, Princeton.

She is survived by four daughters: Elizabeth (Peter, d.) Meggitt of Princeton, Dianne Campbell of Belleair, FL, Cecilia Campbell (Deborah Gagnon) of Ithaca, NY, and Roxanna (Eugene) Choe of Princeton; eight grandchildren: Dylan Hodill, Kelly (Kyle) Owens, Russell Hodill, Hugo Meggitt, Sinclair Meggitt, Hannah Choe, Derek Choe, and Phineas Choe; one niece Maryla Czebatul; and two great-nephews Mateusz Czebatul and Daniel Czebatul. She is predeceased by her parents Zygmunt and Zofia (Lewandowska) Walczykiewicz and son-in-law Peter Meggitt.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, October 21, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue., Princeton.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday October 22, 2022 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton. A luncheon will follow the services.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Diane’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.

———

Costantino “Andy” Tamasi

Costantino “Andy” Tamasi, 89, of Princeton passed away Sunday, October 16, 2022 at Capital Health Regional Medical Center of Trenton, NJ, with his family by his side.

Andy was born in Pettoranello Di Molise, Italy. He had been resident of Princeton since the age of 3. Andy served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was plank owner on the USS Intrepid earning the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class, and a lifetime member of the USS Intrepid Association. A machinist by trade, he was employed as a maintenance foreman for Princeton Recreation Department. He was a crossing guard for Princeton Township for 47 years. Andy was a member of the Italian American Sportsman Club, Roma Eterna Lodge, and the Princeton Pettoranello Sister City Foundation. Andy was a handyman, he loved cooking, gardening, hunting, fishing, and especially spending time with his family. He enjoyed going down the shore to Ortley Beach with his family for many years.

Predeceased by his parents Michael and Anna (Pinelli) Tamasi Sr., a brother Michael Tamasi Jr., two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law Peggy Carazzai, and Pat and Norman Fairall.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Marianne (Petrone) Tamasi; two sons and a daughter, Joe and Nancy Tamasi, David Tamasi, Debbie and Robert Nacarella; seven grandchildren, Arianna and her husband Joe Gallo, Daniella Tamasi, Tori Tamasi and her boyfriend Chris Ridolfi, Alec Tamasi, Deanna Nacarella and her fiancée Frank MacDuff, Nico Nacarella and his wife Vanessa, Francesca Nacarella; a great-granddaughter Isla Mae Gallo; daughter-in-law Becky Tamasi; two brothers-in-law and a sister-in-law, Renato Carazzai, Frank and Kris Petrone; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton 08542. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton 08542. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery 29 Greenview Avenue, Princeton 08542.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of Andy.

October 12, 2022

Obituaries 10/12/2022

Hildred Anderson Storey Geertz

Hildred Anderson Storey Geertz passed away peacefully at her home in Princeton, New Jersey, on September 30, at the age of 95. She was a devoted anthropologist, prolific author, beloved teacher, mentor, mother and grandmother, bold advocate for services to the elderly, and friend to many.

Hilly was born in Queens, New York, on February 12, 1927 and reared there and in Teaneck, New Jersey. A graduate of Antioch College, she received her Ph.D. from Radcliffe College in 1956. Her first book, The Javanese Family (Free Press of Glencoe, Inc.), was published in 1961. After her initial fieldwork in Java, she taught at The University of Chicago from 1960 to 1970 before coming to Princeton University in 1970. At Princeton, Hilly taught courses on the history of anthropological theory, the anthropological study of life stories, the anthropology of art, and the ethnographer’s craft.

In 1972, Hilly became the first chairperson of the Department of Anthropology at Princeton University, and thus the first woman chair of a department at Princeton, a position in which she served for many years. She was named Professor Emeritus in 1998.

Hilly did extensive fieldwork in Morocco, and in Java and Bali, Indonesia and returned to Indonesia repeatedly during her career to conduct the research which helped fuel her extensive list of publications. She completed more than two years of fieldwork research in the village of Batuan on the island of Bali. Working in the same village that was studied in the 1930s by Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson, she focused on the interconnections between different Balinese art forms and how and why such forms have changed through time. She investigated the effects of economic development and tourism on Balinese artistic endeavor.

The first book from the research in Batuan, Images of Power: Balinese Paintings Made for Gregory Bateson and Margaret Mead, was published in January 1995 (University of Hawaii Press). In 2004, The Life of a Balinese Temple: Artistry, Imagination, and History in a Peasant Village was also published by the University of Hawaii Press. Among her other works, Professor Geertz is co-author with her former husband Clifford Geertz of Kinship in Bali (University of Chicago Press, 1975), and co-author with Clifford Geertz and Lawrence Rosen of Meaning and Order in Moroccan Society (Cambridge University Press, 1979). Most recently, in 2017, at the age of 90, her book, Storytelling in Bali, was published by the Dutch publishing house Brill. She took great pride in sharing her final work with friends and family.

Throughout her long career, Hilly touched the lives of many with her insight, kindness, and generosity. After retirement, she became an energetic member of Community Without Walls (CWW), advocating for programs to provide needed services to the elderly community of Princeton. She is survived by her children, Erika Reading and Ben Geertz; her brother Warren Storey; and grandchildren Andrea and Elena Martinez. A celebration of her life will be announced at a future date. Donations in her memory may be sent to the nonprofit Princeton Senior Resource Center (PSRC). CWW is now an affiliate of PSRC.

The family wants to extend a special thanks to Marci HoSang, of Millenium Home Care, LLC, Michelle HoSang, and Monica Rodney, for taking such good care of Hilly, keeping her comfortable, happy, and safe in her own home.

———

Rudolph John Skalka

Rudolph John Skalka, 90, of Princeton, NJ, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in New York City to Julius and Pauline Skalka, Rudolph was a graduate of St. Ann’s Academy and St. John’s University. He began his professional career with the accounting firm of KPMG (Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.) after returning from France while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces from 1954 to 1956. A licensed New York State Certified Public Accountant, he was a financial executive for several companies, retiring from AMREP Corporation as Vice President of Finance in 1995. Since then, he was a private Financial Consultant to several NY Stock Exchange companies and a Member of the Boards and Chair of the Audit Committees for Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. and the Catholic Charities of Trenton.

Rudy and his wife, Anna Marie Sturn Skalka (Annie), were members of Princeton University’s Aquinas Institute, and more recently of Saint Charles Borromeo’s parish in Skillman. A lifelong athlete and avid sportsman, he enjoyed canoe camping, golf, cycling, and especially skiing, the love of which he passed on to his daughter, Jeannemarie, and his son, Christian. One of the original shareholders of the Mad River Ski Area Co-op in Vermont, he and his family spent many holidays hiking and skiing in the mountains. For his wife, Annie, he was an anchor of strength, love, and best friend. For his two children, he was a source of unconditional love and a model of personal integrity.

Predeceased by his parents and brothers, Paul Skalka and his wife Doris and Robert Skalka, Rudy is survived by his wife of 62 years; his children; his daughter-in-law Susan Skalka and son-in-law Alan Calfee; his grandchildren, Kazimir and Shiloh; his sister-in-law Barbara Skalka; and his nieces and nephews, Gerald, Paul, Doris, Catherine and Mary. Rudy is also survived by extended family and friends.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2022, from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton.

The funeral will be held 9 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022, from the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, 47 Skillman Road, Skillman, NJ 08558 with burial to follow at Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Hands Together, PO Box 80985, Springfield MA 01138 or to Catholic Charities of Trenton.

———

Anita Benarde

Longtime Princeton resident and artist Anita Benarde passed away on October 5, six days shy of her 97th birthday. She is probably best known for penning and illustrating the children’s book, The Pumpkin Smasher, a beloved Halloween classic published in 1972, influenced by happenings here, but set in Cranbury to protect the guilty and the innocent.

Anita, however, was making all kinds of art long before she arrived in town with her family in 1961 when her husband, Mel, joined the faculty of Rutgers University. It’s safe to say that Princeton provided an air of inspiration, imagination, and encouragement that kick-started 60 years of creativity that lasted until her passing! Her home studio reveals the volume, breadth, and depth of her creations: oils, acrylic, watercolors, pen and ink, woodcuts, monotypes, handmade paper, and book and magazine illustrations and covers, a good deal of it chronicling Town and Gown and highlighting her family’s travels abroad. She was a mainstay of the Princeton Art Alliance, frequently organizing and contributing to its exhibitions. Her work hangs in the embassies and consulates of several countries as well as corporate offices, hospitals, and private collections.

Over the course of her life, she also worked in public relations, advertising, travel, and real estate, taught art appreciation and gave art lessons on cruise ships, and, with her husband — academic and author Mel — raised three children (Scott, Andi, and Dana), enjoyed and counseled six grandchildren (Zach, Erica, Jake, Hillary, Michael, and Shirah), and delighted in two great grandchildren (Asa and Bode). She was a talented baker and gourmet cook, whose cheese and chocolate fondues were popular and in-demand with her children’s Princeton High School friends. Her recipe for candied tongue was devoured at New Year’s Day parties.

Of her professional accomplishments, she remained most proud of The Pumpkin Smasher with its evocative, orange and black, autumnal drawings and enduring message of the importance of an inclusive community standing up to bullies if we are to live in a just and compassionate world. Original galleys and illustrations are housed in Princeton University’s Cotsen Children’s Library. (Another children’s book, Georgio, The Train that Wanted to Ride a Boat, was a sweet metaphor for triumphing over adversity, something she did herself as she overcame various medical issues, and gave the Energizer Bunny a run for its money.) Fifty years after publication, The Pumpkin Smasher still resonates with children, parents, grandchildren, and grandparents. Coincidence or something else, Anita Benarde arrived in this world in October, set her most cherished work in October, and waved farewell in October, having filled “the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.” 

The family is planning a celebration of her life for early November.

———

Anne M. Fields

Anne M. Fields, the daughter of Bernard L. and Margaret (Illig) Flanagan, was born on her mother’s birthday February 17, 1939 in Wellsville, New York. She is survived by her husband Kenneth D. Fields of Peterborough, NH.

Anne received a BS Degree in Education from State University of New York at Buffalo in 1961, where she was an elected Representative to Student Congress and President of College Union Board. She was a cellist with the Orchard Park Symphony in New York State.

Anne received a New York State Regents Diploma from Wellsville High School in 1957. She was Copy Editor of her yearbook and a weekly columnist for the school newspaper. During high school she had her own weekly three-hour radio show at WLSV in Wellsville called Accent On Youth. She planned the show and presented the top fifties recordings over the air. She earned numerous New York All-State awards for solo cello, orchestra and was a soprano with the choir and the nine-member Treblettes. She received the 1957 Arion Music Award for outstanding senior in music.

She was a third-grade teacher at William Gillette School in the Rush-Henrietta School District in suburban Rochester, NY in 1961-1962. A first-grade teacher at Pajarito School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1962-1963, she was a cellist with the Albuquerque Civic Symphony.

In the fall of 1963, she moved to Palo Alto, California, where she taught first grade at Crescent Park School. She was a cellist in the Stanford Symphony and a soprano at St. Ann’s Chapel. She married the late Dennis W. Elliott in Palo Alto in 1964. They had two children: Claire born in 1965 and Mark born in 1968. The family moved to Lexington, MA, in 1971 where she taught a Foods for Entertaining class for Adult Education. During that time, she was a member of the Harvard Business School Wives Club. Relocating to Old Greenwich, CT, in 1973, she was a member of the Greenwich Junior Women’s Club Drama Troupe performing at Greenwich schools, historical houses, and events.

The family moved to Princeton, NJ, in 1976 where Anne lived for 21 years. She was a Docent at Princeton University Art Museum from 1977-1981, researching paintings and giving gallery talks that are written up and in the archives. After her children were grown, Anne studied to be a paralegal and became interested in Real Estate. She earned a GRI designation and had a 12-year career in Real Estate starting out with Gloria Nilson Realtors in Princeton and later with Richard A. Weidel Realtors in Hopewell, NJ. She was a member of the National Association of Realtors, New Jersey Association of Realtors, and Mercer County Board of Realtors. During that time, she received numerous certifications and awards in residential, land, and commercial Real Estate.

In 1997, Anne moved to Peterborough, NH. She was a soprano with the Monadnock Chorus, performing with them at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1998. She was an In The Wings volunteer with the Peterborough Players. She met her husband Kenneth D. Fields when they were both members of a church choir and later served as deacons. They were married May 4, 2003. Anne was a member of the Dublin Community Church. As a soprano in the church choir, she will be remembered for her fine melodic soprano voice. She was also one of the Readers of Scripture for services. In addition to her interests in music and art history, her reading interests were diverse including economics, politics, and history, as well as fiction. Anne has traveled extensively in Europe including England, Scotland, Sweden, France, Austria, Spain, the Canary Islands, and the Caribbean. She was on the Board of Directors of Crafts Inn in Vermont where she and her husband owned one of their timeshare weeks.

During their years together Anne and Ken shared life interests, including Ken’s love of jazz and Anne’s love of classical music and opera. They were yearly subscribers to the Boston Symphony and Tanglewood. Most years they spent time in Virginia and Hilton Head Island, SC. In 2004 they spent three weeks exploring Scotland. Anne had a love of animals, especially dogs. She had an adventurous spirit, sense of humor, memorable laugh, and a wonderful enthusiasm for all that she set out to accomplish.

As a young woman, Anne’s greatest hope was to have children. She devoted the largest part of her life to being a mother. Her children have an abundance of photo albums that tell the story of her motivation, encouragement, and support of their activities, parties, and projects that she planned and carried out with them. Throughout the years when her children visited, they always brought out photo albums to share with friends or show their children what they were like at the same age.

Anne was a continuously sober member of AA for 46 years (December 9, 1975) and had a profound influence on the many lives she touched through that fellowship. She attended the Rutgers University School of Alcohol Studies in 1982 and was a volunteer at Carrier Foundation in Belle Mead, New Jersey, from 1982-1986. Anne had a core belief in the value of gratitude for blessings in her life. The words “thank you” were instilled in her children and encouraged with her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Ken, Anne is survived by her son Mark Elliott and wife Ewa, granddaughters Katie and Lizzie, grandson Jan; daughter Claire Elliott; stepchildren Margery Langevin, Bruce Fields and wife Chrissy, Heather Marrotte; 11 step grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren.

Anne was pre-deceased by a brother Richard J. Flanagan in 1991, a grandson Benjamin Flanagan Elliott in 1999 and a stepdaughter Laurel Humphrey in 2021.

A Memorial Service was held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the MacDowell Dam.

Burial will be in the Fields Family Plot at Wayside Cemetery in Ocean, New Jersey.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Office, PO Box 2407, James A Farley Station, New York, NY 10116-2407.

October 5, 2022

Obituaries 10/5/2022

T. Leslie Shear, Jr.

T. Leslie Shear, Jr., a lifelong resident of Princeton, NJ, died after a brief illness on September 28, 2022 at the Princeton Hospital. Leslie was pre-deceased by his wife Ione Mylonas Shear, and survived by his daughters, Julia L. and Alexandra Shear, and grandchild Briar Shear.

Leslie was born on May 1, 1938 to Josephine and T. Leslie Shear, in Athens, Greece, where his father was directing the excavations at the Athenian Agora. That auspicious beginning in archaeology set him on the path which he followed for the rest of his life. After growing up in Princeton, and attending the Lawrenceville School between 1952 and 1955, his studies took him to Princeton University where he majored in Classics and received an A.B. summa cum laude in 1959. After participating in the Regular Program of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, where he held the John Williams White Fellowship, he returned to Princeton University in 1960 to start his graduate work in classical archaeology, studies which culminated in his Ph.D. in 1966. His first teaching position took him to Bryn Mawr College (1963 to 1967), and then, in 1967, Leslie returned to Princeton and taught in the Department of Art and Archaeology until his retirement in 2009. At Princeton, he ran the Program in Classical Archaeology for many years and so trained large numbers of students, many of whom followed him into Greek archaeology.

Even before Leslie received his Ph.D., he had gained extensive excavating experience at the Greek sites of Mycenae, Eleusis, Perati, and Corinth and at Morgantina in Sicily. At both Mycenae (in 1953 and 1954) and the Athenian Agora (in 1955), he assisted with the excavation photography, steps which led to his development as an excellent archaeological photographer. In 1968, Leslie became director of the excavations at the Athenian Agora, a position which he continued to hold until 1994. Under his direction, the excavated area expanded significantly to the south, east, and especially to the north of the metro line. The work in the northern sections was particularly significant because it led to the discovery of the Royal Stoa, where the trial of Socrates took place, and the Painted Stoa, an important site for the commemoration of war and later connected with the philosopher Zeno who invented Stoic philosophy. In preparation for the 1980 campaign, Leslie took the momentous decision to institute the Agora Volunteer Program: now for the first time in Greece, the actual work of excavation would be done by student volunteers, rather than by local Greek workmen, as was traditional in Greece. Instituted in the face of significant opposition, the program was an instant success that changed the face of archaeology in Greece. It provided opportunities for undergraduates to excavate, and it paved the way for the field schools that are now common.

Leslie’s scholar contributions include two important books, Kallias of Sphettos and the Revolt of Athens in 286 B.C. (1978) and Trophies of Victory: Public Building in Periklean Athens (2016), as well as many articles. He was also a dedicated teacher who patiently elucidated for his students the intricacies of ancient Athenian architecture, archaeology, and culture; for many of his students, he served as a model for their own teaching. His connection to archaeology was not only professional, but also personal. He met his wife Ione, herself a daughter of the notable archaeologist George Mylonas, in 1956 when they both excavated for Ione’s father at Eleusis, and his oldest daughter, Julia, continues in the field.

Beyond his academic achievements, he was known for his warmth and kindness that he shared with everyone from his colleagues and students to people whom he encountered on the street. He served as trustee of the William Alexander Proctor Foundation (1982-1989) and of the Princeton Junior School (1983-2015; president 1999-2006). He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton on Monday October 10, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.

 – – –

David R. Mikkelsen

On Saturday, September 17, 2022, David R. Mikkelsen, a beloved husband and father, passed away at home in Princeton, New Jersey. He was 73. Born in Ames, Iowa, David grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He graduated from Caltech with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, then received a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Washington, after which he completed a post doc at Caltech under Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne. In 1977, he was hired by Princeton University as a computational physicist with the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). A consummate scientist, David probed the workings of matter and energy from the smallest to largest scale, and felt fortunate in being paid to pursue these passions. He traveled frequently for collaborations with research centers in Germany, Japan, and at MIT, and enjoyed exploring local towns and cultures when on the road. In 2018, he retired from PPPL as a principal research physicist after more than 40 years of service.

David loved playing Go, collecting reasonably priced wine, building his own telescopes from cardboard tubes, and endless photography. At 6’7” he often was called a “giant” and a “bear” by the local children, who loved the epic 20’ tree swing he installed on Murray Place in the 1980s.

David was practical, delighting in applications of scientific theory and knowledge to real-world matters, such as fixing a toaster or making the perfect cup of coffee. He was never without a mechanical pencil in his shirt breast pocket and a small notebook filled with his chicken scratch. He frequently sported a driving cap and pocket watch. Incredibly handy, David once concocted the first TV mute button in the Mikkelsen household from 10’ of wire and a simple switch. He delighted in collecting random facts and regularly beat his entire family at Trivial Pursuit, and could conjure clear explanations of black holes, cell phones, a disappearing plane, and other mysteries at the drop of the hat.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sally, their two children, Anders Mikkelsen and Adella Kerr, and their spouses, Tennille Mikkelsen and Jared Kerr. He also is survived by his mother-in-law, two aunts and uncles, two brothers, three sisters, three sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, nine nieces and nephews, two cats, and his close friends Al Cavallo and Mary Harper. He will be greatly missed.

 – – –

Russell I. Fries

Russell I. Fries of Savannah, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, August 20. Born to Mills and Hester Fries in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1941, he died while on a cycling trip on a beautiful day near Smiths Cove, Nova Scotia, where he had spent happy summers since his childhood. He was 81.

As a child, Russell was inquisitive and curious — “a Russell in the bushes,” as his mother Hester joked. He graduated from Lawrenceville School in 1959, Yale University in 1963, and Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his MA, followed by a PhD in Economic History in 1972.

Throughout his varied career, Russell showed a great love for the stories and histories behind people and objects, recording and  remembering them faithfully. Following his graduation from Hopkins, he taught at Southern Methodist University, then as an Associate Professor at the University of Maine at Orono (UMO) until 1984. Beginning in 1972, he also worked summers at the Historic American Engineering Record on the Paterson Great Falls Historic District, helping to win its 1976 designation by President Ford as a National Historic Landmark.

After his time at UMO, Russell worked at the Institute for Defense Analyses in Arlington, Virginia until 2001. Later in life, he focused intensely on the history of surveying, building an important historical collection of surveying equipment and surveying the land around his homes in Nova Scotia and Savannah.

Russell loved animals all his life, and his beautiful photographs of butterflies, bobcats, woodpeckers, grouse, and more inspired others to look more closely and affectionately at the creatures around them. He was also an athlete who refused to act his age, cycling competitively with those 20 years his junior.

In his personal life, Russell was a dedicated caretaker both for his mother in her declining years and for his beloved second wife, Ann L. Fries, during her five-year battle with lung cancer. Ann and Russell were married in 1992 and traveled often, building countless loving relationships with friends and family throughout Europe and America. Russell supported numerous charitable causes, including efforts to memorialize the Women Airforce Service Pilots and the Tuskegee Airmen. An enthusiastic guitarist, singer, and pianist, Russell also contributed to music communities in both Savannah and Nova Scotia, including enthusiastic support for the Savannah Children’s Choir and participation in the annual Savannah Music Festival. He enjoyed hosting dinners for friends, serving his favorite recipes (all those who knew him will miss his mashed potatoes) and gracing his guests with his best — or worst? — puns.

Russell is survived by his two children from his first marriage, Gwyneth Marcelo Fries and Thomas Fries, and his stepdaughter Lea Marshall; Gwyneth’s husband Darwin Marcelo and daughter Norma June Fries Marcelo; Thomas’s partner Joakim Valevatn; and Lea’s husband Thomas Marshall and children Anna Marshall and Brodie Marshall. For all of them, he was always a supportive cheerleader.

Many friends and relatives have reached out to share personal stories of Russell. If you have a story about Russell to share, please reach out to his daughter Gwyneth at gwynethfries@gmail.com. Memorial services for Russell will be held in Savannah and Smiths Cove in 2023.

– – –

Michael Curtis

Michael Curtis, public intellectual and eminent scholar on Europe and Middle East politics, died on Monday October 3, 2022. He celebrated his 99th birthday on September 11.

During the 1970s and 1980s Curtis was the spokesperson for the United States Jewish academic community on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict representing the organization he founded, American Professors for Peace in the Middle East. He initiated the APPME in 1967 during the Yom Kippur War because emotions ran high and no other organization existed to express rational discourse about the situation. The APPME counted in its several thousand membership most of the Jewish academic community from all fields and published The Middle East Review, a respected scholarly journal. Curtis was the commentator of choice on major television news networks such as PBS and CBS when there was an outbreak of hostilities between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

His interest in international politics was evident by the time he was 13 years old. In 1936 he participated in the famous incident when the Jewish population along with other residents of London’s East End prevented the Fascists led by Oswald Mosely from marching down Cable Street, one of the major thoroughfares in the East End. His service during World War II in the Royal Artillery Corps led him to stations in Germany and Trieste, further contributing to his interest in international politics.

Curtis was graduated from the London School of Economics with a double first in economics and political science. He and George Soros were in the same class (1951), but Soros ended at the bottom of the class. Curtis’s self-deprecating joke was, “So much for graduating at the top of the class. Soros was busy with other things.” Having already published his first book in the UK (it was about British politics), he came to the United States in 1954 on a Cornell University postgraduate fellowship to study American political systems. He was teaching at University College London and few in England knew anything about American politics. He met his first wife, the late Laura Goldsmith Curtis, at Cornell and eventually became an American citizen.

In 2014 he was honored by the president of France as Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for his contributions to the study of the history of French political thought and 20th century French politics. His appointment was presented by Francois DeLattre, then French ambassador to the United Nations, who served as Macron’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs from 2019-2022, and is now French ambassador to Germany. His first book after coming to the United States was Three Against the Third Republic (Princeton University Press 1959), re-issued by Transaction Press with a new introduction by Curtis (2010). This book is considered the definitive study of early 20th century French politics and the rise of the right after the Dreyfus affair. In it, Curtis focuses on three writers, Georges Sorel, Maurice Barrès, and Charles Maurras and their reactions to the deficiencies they saw in the Third Republic and in the system of French democracy. They formulated a philosophic political amalgam of the conservative, reactionary, and moralist segments of French thought that later became the rationale for the rise of rightist governments throughout Europe epitomized by German Nazism.

Inspired by the French Nazi hunter Serge Klarsfeld’s book of photos of hundreds of French children murdered during the Holocaust, Curtis turned to an examination of France’s complicity in that horrific event. The result, Verdict on Vichy, came out first in 2002, published in London by Weidenfeld and Nicolson (Orion Press) and was named one of the best books of the year by The Daily Telegraph. It went on to be published in the United States in 2004 by Arcade Press, and was also translated into Italian and Czech for editions in those countries. The Italian title, Francia Ambigua, expresses how Curtis explored the contradictions and the dilemmas faced by various segments of French society, particularly in relation to the Holocaust. He brought to light for the first time outside of France, the investigation of the French government commission on despoliation, the requisitioning of Jewish property.

Curtis was the author of more than 35 books. In addition to his work on French politics, his books cover the fields of political theory, comparative government, Western European politics, the European Union, and the United Nations. He has long been known for his writing on antisemitism, totalitarianism, the Middle East, and Israel. He was one of the first to discuss the tangled web of the interconnections between religion and politics in the Muslim world in Religion and Politics in the Middle East. Other significant books on the Middle East include Israel:  Social Structure and Change, Israel in the Third World, and Orientalism and Islam.

The textbooks he wrote have introduced thousands of United States college students to the study of comparative government. They were used globally, translated into other languages (for instance, Elementi di Scienza politica, published by Il Mulino for instance first in 1968 and then reissued in the 1970s). His textbook, Great Political Theories, published in the 1960s, is still in print and used throughout the U.S. After reaching at Yale, Oberlin, and other U.S. institutions he retired as a Distinguished Professor Emeritus in political science from Rutgers.

Since his mid 90s, he has been writing almost daily columns for the online, journals, New English Review, and The American Thinker, bringing to public view such issues as the fate of Christians in the Middle East or the role of the tribes in the Middle East that hold enormous power and transcend borders and official governments. A constant theme is his analysis of the ongoing political, verbal and legal attacks on Israel by various segments of the international community. In his book, Should Israel Exist? A Sovereign Nation under Attack by the International Community, published by Balfour Press in 2011, Curtis analyzes how the attacks on Israel are not only traditional physical warfare, but also political.  He shows how Israel is the subject of over half the resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council with the rest of the world’s nations compressed into the other half.

In Orientalism and Islam, published by Cambridge University Press (2009), Curtis focused on the history of European thought in creating the field of Oriental studies. He traces the invention of terms like Oriental despotism back to Montesquieu. He discusses the impact of Montesquieu’s writing on subsequent thinkers like Edmund Burke, Karl Marx, and Max Weber. Included is an important chapter on Tocqueville. Tocqueville is usually associated with his study of the new nation of the United States, but Curtis reveals Tocqueville’s contribution to Oriental studies with his analysis of France and its relation to Algeria. This book is highly regarded as revealing that Western philosophers like Montesquieu and Tocqueville were not inherently biased and could comment objectively on Oriental and Muslim societies, basing their theories on perceptions of real processes and behavior in Eastern culture and government.

Curtis has received numerous awards and commendations among them many academic honors. They include several Fulbright Fellowships and a Bellagio/Rockefeller Institute Fellowship. The American Jewish Committee honored Curtis for his contributions to the literature about Israel and antisemitism. In addition to his years at American universities, he also has taught at Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, University of Bologna, and given lectures at hundreds of institutions. He was a Summer Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study (1981) and a Visiting Fellow, Center of International Studies, Princeton University. For many years, he was a member of the Advisory Council of the Politics Department at Princeton University.

Curtis is also admired by many for his comprehensive knowledge of the history of jazz and the Great American Songbook. He often played with lines by famous lyricists like Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, or Dorothy Fields in the opening sentences of his articles. For years, he and his second wife, artist and curator Judith Kapstein Brodsky, hosted jazz greats like Fred Hersh and Bill Charlap to give concerts in their Princeton home.

In addition to his second wife, Curtis is survived by two sons. Dr. Anthony (Tony) Curtis, Champaign, IL, is a patent lawyer with Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner, Minneapolis. His wife Dr. Susan Mertzlufft Curtis is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting in the School of Business, University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana. Michael D. Curtis is the Communications Director, Republican Party of New Mexico. His wife Sheryl Jaffe Curtis is the Investments Advisor, PNC investments, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Curtis is also survived by two step-children, John B. Brodsky and Dr. Frances M. Brodsky, six grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

The funeral service will be held 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the Jewish Center of Princeton, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton.

Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.

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

September 28, 2022

Obituaries 9/28/2022

Emile F. VanderStucken III

Emile F. VanderStucken III, also known as Van, died at Morris Hall Meadows in Lawrenceville, NJ, on September 22, 2022, at age 79.

He grew up in Princeton, NJ, and attended Princeton Country Day School and Blair Academy before graduating from George Washington University. Van served as an officer in the Air Force and later attended the University of Southern California for graduate school.

He had been a resident of Skillman, NJ, for over 45 years. He enjoyed his connections to Sonora, Texas, and managing his beloved West Ranch.

Van is survived by his wife, Hillary, and two children, Wyatt and Kristen. He is also survived by his sister, Emily Spencer, as well as a niece and nephew.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Van’s memory to Trinity Episcopal Church in Princeton, NJ (trinityprinceton.org/giving) or St. John’s Episcopal Church, Sonora, TX (dwtx.org).
Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Sara Barnard Edwards
1940-2022

Sally Edwards, a 50-year resident of Cranbury and longtime teacher at the Princeton Ballet School, died on September 24 in North Haven, CT, after two years of treatment for metastatic lung cancer. She was 82.

A graduate of Wellesley College, she earned a master’s degree from Yale and came to Princeton with her husband, Don, who was a student at Princeton Seminary. She taught at the Stuart Country Day School, and after the birth of their first child, began a 26-year career on the faculty of the Princeton Ballet School, where she annually prepared the soldiers for The Nutcracker. She served on the Vestry of Trinity Church in Princeton and was the “choir mum” to its Choir of Men, Boys, and Girls. She earned a master’s degree cum laude from General Theological Seminary in New York and served as Pastoral Associate at Christ Church in New Brunswick and as a hospice chaplain and taught in the Yale Summer Institute in Bioethics. She was a member of the Institutional Review Board of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. In retirement, she worked as a volunteer chaplain at Monroe Village.

Sally had many passions in life, including creating a welcoming home for loved ones and strangers alike, supporting dozens of nonprofits from medicine to social justice to education and the arts, and doing needlework of all kinds. After insisting that she and Don find a church home in the late 1970s, she became an enthusiastic contributor to the life of Episcopal parishes in New Jersey and Connecticut as lay leader, acolyte, and flower arranger. Sally’s lifelong love of gardening created beauty for everyone around her. Her deep attachment to special places found its fullest expression at her family’s five-generation summer cottage, “Underoaks,” on Casco Bay in Yarmouth, Maine. Her life exemplified the Wellesley motto: non ministrari sed ministrare, not to be ministered to, but to minister.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years; daughter Jeanette (Ricardo) Chavira of Hamden, CT; son David (Helen) of Bend, OR; and six devoted grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, David, and sister, Jeanette, both of Yarmouth, ME.

A Memorial Choral Eucharist will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 29, at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church, 830 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Wellesley Students’ Aid Society, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481, or online to Doctors Without Borders at donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.