Carl Rudolf Peterson ’28

Carl Rudolf Peterson, prominent tax lawyer in Washington, D.C., died June 8, 1995, at Sibley Memorial Hospital. His wife of more than 60 years, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, died June 12; they were buried together in Clifton, N.J.

Pete graduated from Montclair H.S. At Princeton he majored in politics, was a member of the board of the Princetonian, and belonged to Key and Seal Club. He earned his law degree from Columbia in 1931.

After being with a law firm in N.Y.C. for a few years, Pete lived in Washington for 58 years. He was chief counsel in what is now the IRS and was in the law firm of Alvord & Alvord. In 1950 he and three associates founded the law firm of Lee, Toomey & Kent. He was a senior partner and retired in 1978. He was well known and respected for his keen insight and strong character. He was a member of the American Law Institute and its advisory committee on the internal revenue codes.

Pete married Dorothy McNichols July 7, 1934. They are survived by a sister, Elsa; a brother, Alfred; and a daughter, Elsa P. Gibson. Another brother was G. Fredrick '35, deceased. Pete's love for Princeton was emphasized at the memorial service by his sister, Elsa. A colleague, speaking at the memorial service, also said, "Princeton was high on his list of interests. Few graduates were more loyal to their alma mater. Pete will be remembered as someone who lived his life with what the Greeks called arete-a word meaning excellence-and with courage, integrity, and love." Pete attended the 50th reunion of our class, and served on the schools committee of the Princeton Club of Washington.

The profound sympathy of the class is extended to the surviving members of his family.

The Class of 1928