When Hal Erdman co-founded New Jersey Aluminum Co. in 1954, he moved into a young industry that soon needed his supplies worldwide. His firm later became the world’s largest supplier of coaxial sheathing for cable television, enabling picture and sound to reach wherever cable could go. With Hal as president, the company grew to 1,800 employees, with manufacturing plants in six cities in five states and $200 million in annual sales.
Always a sports fan, during the summer, Hal concentrated on tennis and sailing on Martha’s Vineyard, his summer home, and on ice hockey in the wintertime. He coached the Yale freshman hockey team to its first undefeated season, and in his hometown of Princeton, he founded and coached the Pee Wee Hockey League for 12 years, teaching the game to hundreds of boys.
Hal was a trustee of Princeton Day School and trustee emeritus of the Lawrenceville School. He served ’46 as class treasurer and reunion chairman.
His death Jan. 6, 2014, left his wife of 65 years, Judy Peck Erdman; their children, Guy, Fred, Jody, and Carl; nine grandchildren; and his brothers, Charlie, Peter, David, and Michael, as survivors. To them, ’46 expresses thanks for Hal’s generous life.