John died Jan. 16, 2009, in a retirement community in Carlisle, Pa., his hometown for many decades. He was 87, and a beloved economics professor at Dickinson College.
Born in Harrisburg, Pa., John prepped at Harrisburg Academy and was the youngest of four brothers to attend Princeton, following Robert King ’41, George King ’42, and James King ’38, all now deceased. At Princeton, he roomed with Marvin Gray and Donald Mackie but left in 1942 to become an infantry platoon leader in Italy, where he won a Bronze Star and Purple Heart and rose to the rank of captain.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1949 and then a master’s degree at Denver University, both in political science. While a professor at Dickinson from 1959 to 1983, John rose to become chairman of the economics department and twice won the prestigious Ganoe Award for being voted “the most inspirational teacher” by the senior class. John enjoyed sabbaticals in Italy, and was a graduate-school adviser after his formal retirement.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; five children, Lloyd, Nancy, Carolyn Lippincott, Michele Hassinger, and Patricia Haddad; and seven grandchildren. We offer sincere condolences on the loss of this devoted teacher.