Albert Seckel Jr. ’37

Al died Jan. 10, 2004, at his home in Boynton Beach, Fla.

He graduated from the Chicago Latin School and majored in engineering at Princeton, where his father was Class of '12. From 1941-45 he was a Navy fighter pilot and was one of our most decorated classmates, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Cross, Silver Star, and Air Medal. Al served in the Pacific on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington and was a lieutenant commander on his separation.

In 1946, he became a partner in the Hitchcock Co., a contracting firm specializing in piping. In 1960, Al became the sole owner and concentrated on Midwest operations — Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Iowa. He served on the board of directors of Jefferson Bank and the Peoria Assn. of Commerce. He also was past president of the Country Club of Peoria and was club golf champion. In 1985, Al retired but kept an office in Peoria.

In 1942 he married his beloved wife, Eleanor Blanchard, who survives along with their son Prescott '63; daughter Sharon; two grandchildren; a great-grandson; his sister, Alice; and brother Edward '43, a Princeton professor. We mourn this man who led a happy and useful life.

The Class of 1937