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Stephen Thomas McLean September 1, 2023
Our Class lost an all-around, great member when Stephen Thomas McLean of Charlottesville, Virginia died peacefully at home on September 1, 2023, surrounded by his family. Steve was a lifelong resident of Charlottesville. He was the third of seven children born to Dr. Copley and Peggy McLean. After graduating from Lane High School in ’68, Steve followed his brother (W.C “Lee” McLean, Jr. M.D. ’71) to Princeton. At Princeton, Steve roomed with Wink Cline, Frank Elliott and Claude Hoopes. His senior year, as an officer of Cap and Gown, Steve lived at the club with: Pete Benner, Bob Caldwell, Jeff Collier, Bruce Merrifield, and Mike Schroder. Steve majored in Biology and was a three-year, letter-winning pitcher on the baseball team. His other activities included: the Orange Key Guide Service Executive Committee; the Gatemen Agency; the Public Future Series Committee; and quarterback for the Cap intramural, football team where he got the nickname,“Hopper”. Fellow pitcher, Jim Pestronk recalled: “Steve could do anything that he set his mind to. But, always with a smooth, southern charm and a seemingly, natural ability. You knew that underneath, he really cared, worked hard and practiced effectively. He was a great competitor, friend and teammate. A smiling, fun, light has gone out”. Through a Cap and Gown-alumni connection a number of club members in the ’71 to ’73 sections led Cowen-Ladd (later Browne-Ladd) summer tours for high-school students through Europe. Steve led four such tours which further deepened Cap friendship bonds. Club mate and lifelong neighbor Jesse Davidson, ‘72’s summarized the remembrances of 11 club members: “Any time we think of Steve, we smile. And speaking of smiles, Steve had the most infectious smile and laugh of anyone at Cap and Gown. There was no one that didn’t like Steve. He was one of the truly good guys and the world needs more people like Steve.” After a final, world-travel tour, Steve resettled in Charlottesville to begin an outstanding real estate career. At age 30, he co-founded the brokerage firm McLean-Faulconer. Steve, as president until just before his death, grew the firm into the leading firm in central Virginia. In parallel, Steve was a huge Charlottesville civic volunteer. He served ten years as Board Chair of the Chamber of Commerce; chaired the local board of realtors, and was appointed by the Governor to the VA Real Estate Board. He was a board member for both Jefferson’s Monticello and Madison’s Montpelier. He held leadership posts for the YMCA, Botanical Gardens and his country club. His professional accomplishments notwithstanding, Steve will be remembered for his charm, optimism, wonderful sense of humor, intelligence, unparalleled work ethic, athleticism, ability to do just about anything and everything, and his genuine desire to help as many people as he could. Most of all, though, Steve loved and cherished his family and friends. Steve and Caroline were married for 44 years. They raised 3 great kids: Wilson, Meg and Elizabeth who in turn have had 5 grandchildren with another one due in December. As for friends, Steve never missed one of our class major reunions. And, he combined his adult-life sports – tennis, paddle ball, golfing, skiing, hunting and fishing – with a band of equally-active buddies. Class members who joined the 2015 Civil War trip from Charlottesville: recall how Steve and Caroline hosted an outstanding pig-pulling dinner at his mother’s farm. What enthusiastic hospitality! From a lifelong friend of Steve’s in Charlottesville at Steve’s Celebration of Life: “It's impossible to cover the fullness of Steve`s life here in Charlottesville. He was involved in and supported so many different things in this community. All of us here have our great Steve stories … Steve was one of the hardest working people I’ve known: a dedicated professional. But he liked to play hard too. He could burn both ends of the candle at the same time (while hunting, he took a cell call and closed a deal while his dog was pointing at a bird)….Although Steve is no longer a phone call away, he will live in our memories thanks to his friendship, warmth, good humor, and gracious, gentlemanly ways”. Steve was a positive force of nature who left many – family, friends and institutions - better for his presence and good works. A Celebration of Life was held at his farm on September 30th attended by nearly five hundred people including more than fifteen fellow Tigers from the classes of ’71-’73.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sara Carolyn Acker
Sara Carolyn Acker, known as Carolyn, who was with the vanguard of coeducation in our class, died following a two-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease on August 23, 2023 in Atlanta. She was 72. Carolyn had established a psychiatry practice in Atlanta, a remarkable and highly successful second career. Her personal arc began with award-winning success as a journalist, a career she then set aside to enter the medical profession. Following graduation, she entered journalism, moving to New York. Her first job was at the copy desk at the New York Post before working as an Assistant Editor in the children’s books division of David McKay Company. From this beginning, she became a star reporter for more than 20 years–starting at the Trenton (NJ) Times, then later in Philadelphia with the Daily News and The Inquirer. While at The Inquirer, Carolyn was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her reporting on mental health issues. She was in her 40s when she made the momentous decision to leave journalism in order to attend medical school and become a psychiatrist. She had decided she wanted to deal with mental health issues first-hand, rather than just write about them. Everyone who knew her raved about not just her brilliance as a doctor, but also her dedication and her compassion for all the people she treated. “She loved her patients like they were children,” her friends say. “And they loved her back just as much.” In addition to her patients, Carolyn loved her animals (first there were dogs, then cats), and she loved her wide circle of friends, stretching all the way back from St. Louis to Princeton to New York City to Philadelphia to Boston and Atlanta. She was a wonderful pianist and lover of all types of music. Although it was heartbreaking for Carolyn when she had to close her medical practice after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it never affected her work with patients. And she made sure all of her patients were taken care of before she closed the office and moved into assisted living. Everyone who knew her said she carried out all of these agonizing decisions with incredible courage and grace. Carolyn was predeceased by both her parents, Dr. Harry L. Acker and Sara E. Acker (nee Edmonds); and her older brother, Harry (Melva). In addition to many friends, she leaves behind her brother, Larry Acker (Kimberly); niece, Katie Bates (Terry); and nephews, John Acker (Emily) and Scott Acker (Theresa). ___________________________________________________________________________________ William Howarth - Friend of the Class of 1972 William “Will” Howarth, professor of English, emeritus, and eminent Thoreau scholar and environmental humanist, died of interstitial lung disease at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center on June 6. He was 82. Howarth served on Princeton’s faculty for 51 years. He joined the University in 1966 and transferred to emeritus status in 2008 but kept teaching until Dec. 2017, when he suffered a severe stroke. Specializing in American literature of 1850-1950, the history of nonfiction and environmental literature, he served as editor-in-chief of the NEH-funded project Writings of Henry D. Thoreau, with an office in Princeton University Library, and was among the cofounders of the Princeton Environmental Institute (now High Meadows Environmental Institute). He also helped establish the Program in African American Studies at Princeton (now the Department of African American Studies). “Will Howarth was one of the major figures in expanding the curriculum in the English department and at Princeton,” said Simon Gikandi, the Class of 1943 University Professor of English and department chair. “In his teaching, scholarship and program development he was ahead of his time and can now be considered to have been a pioneer in several areas central to English studies in the 21st century. He was a pioneer in the use of computers and the electronic media in the humanities; his monumental writings on Thoreau laid the groundwork for environmental humanities; and his work on autobiography and literary journalism made the study of nonfiction central to literary studies.” Professor Howarth was a true friend of the Class of '72, a teacher and mentor for many of us. The full tribute to Professor Howarth is here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bruce Earl Larson June 17, 1950-May 27, 2023 We received notice that Bruce E. “Bruce” Larson of Seattle, Washington died on May 27, 2023, after a lengthy illness. Bruce's early childhood was spent in Austin, Minnesota where he created cherished memories and formed the foundation of his character. Bruce’s family moved to Seattle, Washington, and the Seattle area remained his beloved home for the rest of his life. He and classmate John Rose ’72 attended Bellevue Senior High School where, as seniors, they teamed to win the Washington State Debate Championship. Bruce continued his love of debate at Princeton. Freshman debating teammate, Andy Napolitano, recalled that “Bruce had a fine mind and a great voice.” The two teamed with Sam Alito to win the Ivy League trophy freshman year. Bruce majored in Politics, writing his thesis on Attica. Senior year, he received The Walter E. Hope 1901 Medallion, awarded by his classmates for the Senior who has done the most for Princeton, as well as the John G. Buchanan Prize for the highest standing in the Department of Politics in junior and senior year. He attended the University of Chicago Law School, receiving his J.D in 1975, and was awarded the Joseph Henry Beale Prize for writing and oral argument. Bruce returned to Washington state, joined the law firm of Karr, Tuttle, Campbell, and began a lengthy and successful legal career specializing in commercial litigation. As the managing partner for over 25 years, Bruce exerted a lasting influence on various facets of the firm that continue to reverberate to this day. He spearheaded effective cost management strategies, ensuring the firm's financial stability even during challenging economic cycles. Moreover, his steadfast commitment to retaining talented staff members played a pivotal role in maintaining a cohesive and dedicated team. He became chairperson of the Litigation Department in 1991 and President of the firm in 1994, serving in that capacity for almost 30 years. He was active in local and state professional organizations. Bruce's deepest aspiration was that his academic and professional accomplishments, remarkable as they were, would not define his legacy. In his eyes, their significance diminished compared to his unwavering commitment to imparting morality, genuine humanity, and profound altruism. He displayed a deep concern for his community, colleagues, friends, and, most importantly, his beloved family. Bruce exemplified the qualities of an exceptional husband, father, mentor, and selfless individual. For those privileged to have known him, his passing creates an indescribable void within our hearts.
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Henry D. I. Abarbanel *66, Friend of the Class of 1972 May 26, 2023
Prof. Henry Abarbanel passed away in California on May 26, 2023. He taught Physics to many in the Class of '72, ranging from being a precept and lab instructor for Physics 103/104 to teaching the more abstract concepts of Quantum Mechanics and other advanced Physics topics. He was a Faculty Fellow at Stevenson Hall and Wilson College during our years, as he befriended many in the class. An obituary can be found at https://delmarsandpiper.org/henry-abarbanel/ . As well, remembrances by John Sethian '72 and Owen Curtis '72 can be found at our Friends and Family page [insert link here].
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Cornell H. Fleischer April 21, 2023 We learned that Cornell H. Fleischer died unexpectedly at his home in Chicago on April 21, 2023. He was the Kanuni Suleyman Professor in the Departments of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and History; a world-renowned expert of Ottoman history and reknowned scholar of the greater Islamic world. He was 72 years old. Cornell was born on Oct 23, 1950, in Berkeley, California to Hugh and Florence Fleischer. His early life shaped his later career as he was the son of a U.S. diplomat and spent part of his childhood in Cairo and Baghdad—inspiring a lifelong love of and deep connection to the region, including years as a graduate student spent in Istanbul. This love influenced all his work throughout his career. He entered Brown University for two years and then transferred to Princeton as a “critical language” undergraduate to study Arabic. He became a member of our Class. He wrote his senior thesis on “The Joke and Creation: Juha, the Mulla Nasr al-Din and Nasreddin Hoca.” He continued in the Department of Near Eastern Studies for his Ph.D., studying under Professor Martin Dickson. He completed his dissertation, “Gelibolulu Mustafa Âli Efendi, 1541–1600: A Study in Ottoman Historical Consciousness,” in 1982. His doctoral dissertation formed the basis of his highly influential book “Bureaucrat and Intellectual in the Ottoman Empire: The Historian Mustafa Âli” (Princeton University Press, 1986), which many scholars credit for transforming the field of Ottoman studies. Soon after its publication, he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 1988. Cornell specialized in Ottoman history and taught at Ohio State University and Washington University in St. Louis before joining the Departments of History and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Chicago in 1993. A memorial from the University of Chicago included the following: "Cornell was known for the depth of cultural context he brought to the study of the Ottoman past, as well as for his exceptional command of the Ottoman language, modern Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. Over the years his scholarship touched on such issues as Ottoman claims to universal empire, chiliastic movements, confessionalization, the rise of a bureaucratic class in the Empire in the early modern period, and the issue of an Ottoman renaissance. A dedicated mentor to young scholars in the field, he trained generations of historians of the Ottoman world and beyond with devotion and rigor, and it can be justly said that his legacy has significantly affected the shape of Ottoman studies in the United States, Europe, and Turkey.” Cornell kept in frequent touch with colleagues from his years at Princeton until mid-April 2023. Cornell is survived by his daughter, Daria and his godson, Christopher Markiewicz, and many friends, colleagues and former students worldwide. The Class sends Condolences to his family.
____________________________________________________________________________________________ April 19, 2023 Peter Cook “Pete” Hunter, Des Moines businessman, avid and accomplished mountain climber and rugby player, died peacefully in hospice near his retirement home in Oyster Harbors, Osterville, MA. A native of Davenport, IA, the son of Edwin Rhodes Hunter and Carolyn Cook Hunter, Pete came to Princeton from Phillips Exeter Academy. A natural athlete, Pete quickly became involved in rugby, where he excelled. He started his last two years at fly half and was a key member of Princeton’s 1971 Ivy League Tournament Champion team. Senior year, he helped organize a spring trip by the rugby team to England. He was a member of Tiger Inn, selected in the Early Bicker of our sophomore year, and junior and senior year roomed with Andy Brown in Blair Tower. Pete had a passion for learning, majored in Economics and went on to earn his MBA from Wharton School at U Penn. Following Wharton, Pete returned to Iowa as CEO of regional brand Hiland Potato Chip Company of Des Moines. He was a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, a worldwide community that networks business leaders from 142 countries. He also returned to rugby, playing for the Des Moines Rugby Club. But most prominently, he traveled the world climbing mountains across North and South America, including Mount Rainier, and twice scaled Mount Everest. In addition to his spirit of adventure, Pete is remembered by friends for his sharp intellect, keen wit and kind heart. Pete is survived by his son Peter Cook Hunter Jr.; his daughter Katherine Jane Snow, her husband Nick and two grandchildren, Hunter Snow and Tripp Snow; and his son Christopher Drake Hunter, as well as his mother and his three brothers, Jeff, Dan and Ed.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to gofundme.com, Save Greater Dowses Beach, the beach closest to where he spent his final years and made memories with his family. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Phillip B. Caton Phillip “Phil” Brettun Caton, a Pennington, NJ resident whose career guided growth in New Jersey communities and shaped the evolution of the Princeton campus, passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a valiant struggle with ALS. An always affable, good-natured classmate, his sharp mind and good humor were ever present. A native of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Phil came to Princeton from Upper Darby High School. He was a close friend and roommate of Frank Banisch, a cohort in the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning. Phil sang with the Glee Club and became the Treasurer of Tower Club. He maintained a special affinity for Princeton, returning almost every year for Reunions, always with wife and sons in tow. Phil started his career as a city planner in Trenton and later became the Director of Community Development. At the age of 28, he was appointed Director of the Division of Housing for the State of New Jersey, overseeing roughly 400 employees. In 1979, Phil and two partners set out on their own, forming what is now Clarke Caton Hintz – a planning and architecture firm. In the years that followed, he became one of the state's foremost experts in affordable housing and served as a planning consultant to scores of New Jersey municipalities. Phil also acted as the principal planner for Old York Village, a pioneering and award-winning planned development in Chesterfield, NJ, that preserved farmland and prevented suburban sprawl. At the time of his retirement in 2020, Clarke Caton Hintz had grown to more than 30 employees, relocated to a renovated Masonic Temple in downtown Trenton, and had twice been named New Jersey's architecture firm of the year. Phil became an expert in Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), New Jersey’s innovative tool to help municipalities foster smarter growth and land preservation, and he had been appointed by the New Jersey Superior Court as a special master in affordable housing matters involving more than 50 municipalities. He prepared redevelopment plans for some of New Jersey’s largest cities, including Trenton, Camden, Jersey City and Elizabeth, as well as preparing Master Plans for many more municipalities. In 2008, he was elected into the prestigious Fellowship of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Phil married the love of his life, Lisa, in 1983. She was his perfect complement. Together, they raised three sons: Tyler, Spencer, and Bryce. Phil was the consummate father. He coached the boys' recreation soccer teams, played them ragtime piano each night, read them science fiction and fantasy books before bed, took them for countless rounds of golf, gave them business advice, and so much more – all with a generosity of time and energy that belied his prolific professional career. Perhaps Phil's proudest single achievement was the house he designed for himself, Lisa, and the boys. Affectionately referred to as "the ranch", the house is a work of art – Phil's beautiful aesthetic sense made real. He designed it with an abundance of love and it has since been host to many of his family's fondest memories. After a career helping to shape Princeton’s Campus, Phil generously shared that story in the Class of 1972 50th Reunion Yearbook. The essay was a wonderful gift to the class: His voice brought insight and coherence to the physical changes to campus that occurred since graduation. His wife Lisa, shared its importance to him: “He loved writing the article about changes in the architecture on campus for the 50th reunion book. It gave him, and both of us, a beautiful and meaningful sense of purpose as we dealt with his illness. The article felt like Phil’s final love letter to Princeton.” Phil is survived by his wife; his three sons, Tyler L. Caton, Spencer A. Caton ’14 and Bryce W. Caton; his grandson, Murphy, and his brother and dear friend, Chip. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Citizen's Campaign, D & R Greenway or Isles, Inc. in Trenton in his honor. The Class sends condolences to the family.
A memorable photo of Phil with his friends from Tower Club.
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