C. Thomas Steffens ’53

Tom, who was predeceased by his wife, the former Meredith Roll, whom he married senior year, died of a stroke March 29, 2011, in Gladstone, N.J. Tom was gladly cared for during his final illness by his five daughters, Suzie Barber, Wendy Folk, Lee Hunter, Shelly Ricco, and Jennie Steffens.

Tom’s brothers are Frederic H. ’55 and Roger S. ’60. His Princeton roommates included Ernie Bryant, Bill Clevenger, Bill Cox (who went with Tom to their 60th Hill School reunion in 2009), Brit Durell, Caleb Gates, Phil Hummer (who said Tom had “one of the most magnetic personalities”), and Jim Ridgway. He played rugby four years and belonged to the Right Wing Club, which was not a political organization but a partying group founded in 1894 and totaling 16 seniors from his eating club (Tiger Inn), Ivy, Cap and Gown, Cottage, and Colonial.  

Tom was a Marine for two years, a New York City bond salesman, and a Florida residential real-estate broker. Daughter Wendy said he received much pleasure from skeet shooting at the New Jersey Log Cabin Gun Club and beekeeping. Tom kept his family, friends, and parishioners (he recently was elected a church deacon), and his cardiologist furnished with fresh honey.  

We will miss Tom’s quiet manner, good humor, and wisdom, but we won’t forget him.