Blair E. Olmstead ’49

Blair died March 18, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. 

He was a son of Paul Olmstead 1919 and came to Princeton from Carteret (N.J) Academy. After completing his freshman year, he joined the Army in March 1946 and returned to Princeton after a year of service. He majored in psychology, graduated in 1950, rowed on the 150-pound crew, worked on the Nassau Lit and WPRU, and sang in the Chapel Choir, one of his lifelong passions.

Blair joined Prudential Life Insurance Co. right after graduation and worked there for his entire career. He married Betty Dempwolf on Sept. 20, 1952. Upon retirement, he taught at William Paterson University for two years, and then he and Betty moved to a lakeshore home in Denver, N.C. They were associated with the Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church there, and enjoyed singing in the choir.

Blair is survived by Betty; their two daughters, Susan O. Ward and Marjorie O. Cooper; three Ward grandchildren, and two Cooper grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. We offer our condolences to the entire family.