Alfred Pont Du Dent ’55

Alfred du Pont Dent died Aug. 21, 1997, of a lymphoma.

Born in Wilmington, Del., where he spent most of his life, he prepared at St. George's School. He majored in politics, participated in crew, and joined Cap and Gown Club. He left after sophomore year for naval service and in 1958 earned an AB from Penn. He joined Laird and Co., stockbrokers.

In 1965, Al became a trustee of the Nemours Foundation, established by his grandfather Alfred I. du Pont to provide health care for children and the elderly. Al soon began a 20year legal battle with other trustees for control of the foundation, then estimated at $700 million. He felt the trust was not earning enough on its investments or distributing enough, and was enriching the trustees. His suit resulted in large payments to support the du Pont Hospital for Children and establish clinics for the elderly. These funds continue to flow as his grandparents intended.

Al was a top backgammon player, an avid golfer, and, as a racehorse owner, a familiar figure at Delaware Park and the Derby. He worked at the brokerage firm of Brittingham and Co. and the foundation until illness forced him to retire. To his wife, Eleanor, and daughters Susanna and Sylvia, the class extends its deep sympathy.

The Class of 1955