Stirling Aldrich ’53

Hank died Sept. 4, 2025, in Cape Coral, Fla, at the age of 94.

He was born in Yonkers, N.Y., and came to Princeton from New Rochelle High School, where he was class president. At Princeton, he majored in engineering, joined Cannon Club, and played football (blocking for Dick Kazmaier ’52 during his Heisman winning season), hockey, and baseball. Drafted into the Army, he served for two years in the Chemical Corps at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.

Following the Army, Hank joined Alcoa Corp. in New York, transferring to Seattle and then to Chicago, in support of the Boeing and Ford accounts. He left Alcoa after 13 years and began a lifelong involvement in community recreation and sports. He founded companies that owned and managed more than 30 swim and tennis facilities and indoor tennis and soccer clubs. He constructed track and field facilities, artificial turf fields, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts, including supplying the courts for the Virginia Slims World Championship Series. He served for many years on the board of the US Indoor Sports Association.

Although Hank never retired, he prioritized spending time and lavishing attention on his grandchildren. He loved having them visit, taking them fishing, swimming, and golfing. They loved his energy, his optimism, and his sense of humor.

Hank was predeceased by Lesley, shortly following their 70th wedding anniversary, and their daughter Robin. He is survived by his children Richard ’76, Karen, David ’81 and his wife Jennifer Dyckman Aldrich ’82, and Chris Hatfield ’83; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, Robert Aldrich ’56.