Benjamin Dirk Owens ’56

    Dirk died Feb. 28, 2023. He died peacefully in Los Gatos, Calif., after living with Alzheimer’s disease for many years. 

Born March 28, 1935, in Mount Kisco, N.Y., he attended the Governor’s Academy before heading to Princeton, where he majored in psychology and was a member of Cannon Club. He loved singing with the Tigertones, and he drew the Tigertone emblem that is used today. After graduation, he served in the Navy and then went to work for IBM in New Haven, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area, and stayed with the company until his retirement. He then became active as a volunteer at his local hospital and with the Aspen Institute. 

Dirk and his wife, Priscilla Willard, had three children: Bill ’85, Dave, and Susan, all three of whom lived nearby in the Bay Area. After Pris’ passing at an early age, he and his children stayed very close. Dirk is also survived by five grandchildren: Andrew, Peter, Lauren ’25, Miles, and Gracie. 

Dirk will be remembered most for his curious nature, sunny disposition, infectious optimism, singing voice, love of dogs, and devotion to his family.