Brendan T. Byrne ’49

Brendan Byrne, the only ’49er who served as the governor of New Jersey, died Jan. 4, 2018, a few months before his 94th birthday. He had a distinguished career in law and politics, with a remarkable list of achievements that would overwhelm our brief obituary.

Brendan came to Princeton after two years in the Army Air Force, where as a lieutenant he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals. While on campus, he belonged to Cottage Club, Whig-Clio, and Theatre Intime. He was on the varsity track team and majored in SPIA, graduating with honors. He then went to Harvard Law School, earning a law degree in 1951. His legal and political careers were in New Jersey, requiring almost a full-page listing in his obituary in The New York Times.

Brendan’s legal and political achievements are well known. But his personal qualities also deserve mention and praise, and include his good humor and easy, self-deprecating wit.

Brendan is survived by his wife, Ruthi; and six of his seven children, Brendan Jr. ’76, Nancy, Timothy ’83, Mary Anne, Barbara ’89, and William. His daughter Susan died in 2006. We offer our respectful condolences to all of them.