Benjamin L. Zelenko ’55

Ben died Nov. 16, 2025.

Alphabetically near the last of the class, he was among the first in public service. He was involved in civil rights, voting rights, and anti-gun legislation. He represented the NFL Players Association in matters of pay and safety. He was proudest of his work as general counsel for the House Judiciary Committee, later arguing the historic case before the U.S. Supreme Court for Japanese American reparations.

Ben was born in New York City. Before Princeton he attended Forest Hills High School, was president of his class, and represented the school at the World Youth Forum in London. He described himself in a brochure for that as “idealistic, with a strong strain of realism; passionate internationalist.” On a more local level, he worked as a ballboy for the tennis championships at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills.

At Princeton, he majored in the Woodrow Wilson School and graduated with honors. Ben was active in Whig-Clio, WPRU, the Career Forum, and was president of the International Relations Club. He joined Prospect Club, for which he helped obtain outside speakers. His roommates were Frank Horowitz and Ed Gladstone.

After graduation he attended Harvard Law School and then served in the Coast Guard. Subsequently, he worked at the Federal Communications Commission. His career continued as an attorney in Washington, and he taught a sports law course at Catholic University.

Ben is survived by his wife for 64 years, Barbara; and his children, Brian, Carin, and Laura ’86.