In Memoriam: Uwe Reinhardt, Edward C. ‘Ted’ Taylor, Robert Jahn ’51 *55, and Donald McClure

Image

Brian Wilson/Office of Communications

Economics professor UWE REINHARDT, a leading authority on health-care economics, died Nov. 13 in Princeton. He was 80. Reinhardt joined the faculty in 1968 as an assistant professor and became professor of economics and public affairs in 1979. During the nearly 50 years that Reinhardt was at the University, he was regarded as one of the most influential health economists and health-policy experts in the country, known for his ability to explain complex health-care issues to a broad audience. 

Reinhardt’s research explored a number of policy issues, including equity and cost-effectiveness of health care, payment reforms, and veterans’ health care. He served as an adviser to governments, public commissions, and advisory boards, and was routinely called upon to brief members of Congress. 

President Eisgruber ’83 said Reinhardt “was one of Princeton’s most beloved teachers.” He was an honorary member of the classes of 1974, 1983, 1995, and 2000. 

Image

Denise Applewhite/Office of Communications

Chemistry professor emeritus EDWARD C. “TED” TAYLOR died Nov. 22 in St. Paul, Minn. He was 94. Taylor was best known for his research into butterfly-wing pigments, which led to the development of the anti-cancer drug Alimta for Eli Lilly & Co. 

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2004, Alimta is used to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma, a lung cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos. Construction of the new Frick Chemistry Building was supported by Princeton’s share of royalties from Alimta. 

Taylor joined the faculty in 1954 and transferred to emeritus status in 1997. He taught and mentored generations of students and in retirement endowed fellowships for graduate students in chemistry. 

His research focused on a class of organic molecules called heterocycles, which are key components in molecules essential for life. Taylor held 52 patents and was the author, editor, or co-editor of 89 books. 

For an appreciation of Taylor by department chair Tom Muir, go to http://bit.ly/tedtaylor.

Image

Robert Matthews/Office of Communications

Former dean of the engineering school ROBERT JAHN ’51 *55 died Nov. 15. He was 87. Jahn joined the faculty in 1962 as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and founded the Electric Propulsion and Plasma Dynamics Laboratory, which he directed until 1998. He served as dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science from 1971 to 1986. He returned to teaching and research, retiring in 2003.

Jahn’s early research focused on rocket propulsion, and he rose to prominence as an engineer during the space race, laying the groundwork for spacecraft propelled by electrically charged particles. He was awarded the two highest honors in the field of spacecraft propulsion.

In 1979 Jahn began exploring whether human consciousness could affect the physical world, starting the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research Lab. Jahn’s work set him at odds with many colleagues, and he eventually reached an agreement with the University to continue the work with private funding and without graduate students.

Image

Robert Matthews/Office of Communications

DONALD MCCLURE, professor of chemistry emeritus, died Nov. 17 in Plainsboro, N.J. He was 97. McClure joined Princeton’s faculty in 1967 and retired in 1991. His research focused on physical inorganic chemistry, and he worked in the fields of molecular spectroscopy and condensed-matter physics. He published more than 130 journal papers and a book, Electronic Spectra of Molecules and Ions in Crystals.