Burr S. Swezey ’40

Burr, a legend in his time, died Nov. 1, 2007, at his home in Lafayette, Ind.

He prepared at Jefferson High School in Lafayette and at Exeter Academy. At Princeton, he majored in economics, was on the varsity basketball team, was advertising and circulation manager of the 1940 Bric-a-Brac, and was a member of Cannon Club. He later attended the University of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Banking.

During World War II, Burr enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Pacific and at the Great Lakes Naval Station as commander.

Following the banking and community-affairs legacy of his ancestors in the Lafayette area, Burr became president in 1957 and later CEO of Lafayette National Bank (now Chase Bank). He retired in 1988.

He served on the board of directors and was president of numerous local and state civic organizations. He was the recipient of the Marquis de Lafayette Award in 2000 and inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2004. Governors Branigan, Whitcomb, and Bowen recognized him as a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest award bestowed by Indiana governors, in 1967, 1974, and 1978.

Burr was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, the former Anne Louise Cole. His classmates extend sincere condolences to his survivors, son David, daughters Karen Frickey and Elisabeth Mathewson, and three grandchildren.