Carl Ferenbach ’37

Incredibly capable, energetic, and ever cheerful cruise director Carl died Mar. 26, 1995. At the Hill, he was active in the Science Forum, debating, soccer, and was on the gym team. At Princeton, he majored in biology (taking second group honors), was on the gym team, and played guitar in the Tigers dance orchestra. After graduation, he began work as a bobbin boy in a Leon-Ferenbach silk mill in Tennessee, graduating to mechanic, electrician, plumber, machine builder, shift supervisor, salesman, and, in 1947, president. Pearl Harbor ended the silk business, and the mill was converted to rayon and nylon and eventually to textured polyester. This attracted many new competitors, including fiber producers. When the bubble burst, 90% of the mills failed, but by adapting its machinery and developing a revolutionary dyed carper yarn, Carl’s company was able to turn a profit. Chromalloy American bought the company and Carl became a director and executive v.p. He retired, and in five years, put 35,000 miles on a 49' ketch, Sea Phase.

Among his most enjoyable experiences were working on ’37 luncheons, reunions, chairing the 50th, and the Annual Giving telethons. He was elected class president in 1977. He is survived by his widow, Smedley; son Carl II ’64; daughter Polly Franchot; and her daughters, Jennifer and Alexandra.

Carl was the class’s anchor to windward. He is irreplaceable.