Carl August de Gersdorff ’54

Carl died Nov. 19, 2021.

He prepared at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Mass. At Princeton, Carl majored in English, joined Colonial Club, was active in varsity squash all four years, and played rugby in his junior and senior years.

After service in the Army as an officer, he joined Kidder, Peabody & Co., an investment bank in New York City, retiring as vice president in 1994.

He then moved to Alford, Mass., where he was an assessor for the town of Alford, a board member of the Barrington Stage Co., of Chesterwood (home of sculptor Daniel Chester French, now a national historic site), and of The Berkshire Botanical Garden. He was also involved with other local charities and clubs. 

Carl enjoyed tennis, squash, collecting stamps, gardening, reading, drawing, telling jokes, The New York Times Sunday crossword, studying Latin and Greek, and spending time with his family. He was an avid sports fan and loved cheering on his teams, particularly the Boston Red Sox.

Carl was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Marianne de Gersdorff. His son Carl de Gersdorff III died 10 months after him. Carl is survived by son Stephen; daughters Susan, Ursula, Alexandra, and Christina; six grandchildren; and sister Gertrude “Gigi” Wilmers.