Alfie, one of the bright lights of our class, died Feb. 6, 2015, while on a Caribbean cruise.

Alfie came to Princeton from Kansas City and Nashville. He roomed with David Rosenbloom, majored in history, and dined at Cottage. Over time, he became one of the University’s most enthusiastic supporters, professing “unabashed fondness” for his days at Princeton. Upon graduation he served in the Marine Corps, then went on to a five-decade career in advertising in New York City, starting with the Ted Bates Agency and eventually retiring as senior partner and group business director of J. Walter Thompson.

In 2001, Al and his wife, Georgie (daughter of Dan Coyle ’38), moved to her family home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where they developed a large and warm circle of friends. He remained, as always, an energetic reader, immersing himself in American history, biographies, autobiographies, and “light but good fiction.”

We will sorely miss Alfie — his keen critical edge, his readiness for spirited debate, his extraordinary sense of humor, and his abiding affection for Princeton friends. The class expresses condolences to Georgie; his son, Nicholas; daughters Amanda, Cynthia, and Cassandra; three stepchildren; 10 grandchildren; and sister Judy Simmons.

Undergraduate Class of 1962