Borden R. Putnam ’43 *44

Borden died Feb. 5, 1996, at his home in Franklin Lakes, N.J. He was 73. His death resulted from Parkinson's disease complications and recent surgery.

A native of Washington, D.C., Put came to Princeton from Queens, N.Y., and received a degree in chemical engineering. Following WWII service in the Pacific as a lieutenant (j.g.) USNR, he received his master's from Princeton in chemical engineering.

Borden began his career with American Cyanamid of Wayne, N.J., in 1947, and rose through the ranks until his retirement in 1982. At that time, he was a senior v.p. and member of the board of directors.

From 1982-90, Borden was in the administration of New Jersey Governor Tom Kean '57 as the state's first commissioner of commerce and economic development. He played a major role in shifting New Jersey's economic base from manufacturing to services and high technology.

"He presided over the largest growth in the state's history-three quarters of a million jobs," said Kean. "Great numbers of people working in the state today really owe their thanks to Borden Putnam."

Borden's wife of 43 years, Jean, predeceased him on Jan. 23. Borden is survived by a son, Borden III; two daughters, Ashley Putnam and Andrea Orchard; a sister, Mary Follette; his stepmother, Frances Wisenant Putnam, and seven grandchildren. The class extends its deep sympathy.

The Class of 1943