Carleton Tobey ’40
CARL TOBEY died in Samsun, Turkey, on Aug. 23, 1991, where he had lived for more than 35 years, teaching English at Samsun College. He is survived by his sister, Ida Louise Pate, and half sister, Beatrice Allen Tobey, to whom the Class sends deepest sympathy. Son of Allen Tobey '12, Carl participated in crew at Choate and Princeton. At Princeton he was on the Princetonian board, was a Cap and Gown member, and was a history major. During WWII he served in the U.S. Army.
Since college days we have seen little of Carl, but through yearbook reports and other correspondence we do know that his connection with Princeton and 1940 stood steadfast. Unfortunately, academic scheduling and geographical distance had kept him from major reunions, Carl was highly regarded by the entire Samsun community, and throughout his life he remained devoted to friends, garden, music, and poetry.
In his 50th reunion message, Carl wrote, "I'm well and happy, so far, while living with the greatest of pleasure beside the Black Sea in a small house with quite a large garden. I shall wear my trousers rolled and walk upon the beach." This scenario of Carl's simplicity and contentment serves somewhat to lighten the sadness of our final farewell to him.
The Class of 1940
Paw in print
November 2026
History is in Terri Sewell ’86’s hands; campus mental health culture; the two Princetons.
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Yesim Er Oztas
3 Weeks AgoTobey’s Garden Legacy
I graduated from Samsun Anatolian High School in 1992. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Carl Tobey, I was fortunate enough to wander through the wonderful botanical garden he had created on our school grounds. The remarkable variety of plants and flowers captivated me as a nature lover.
At the time, the garden was known as the Garden of Kartopu. Kartopu was the affectionate nickname given to him by the people of Samsun. I later learned that Carl Tobey was a retired English teacher, and I was fascinated to discover that he had spent his childhood on beautiful Long Island.
This connection felt particularly special because Long Island’s beautiful coastline reminded me of the lovely shores of Samsun, my hometown. I found it touching to think that someone who had grown up surrounded by the coastal beauty of Long Island had eventually made his home in Samsun, another place blessed with beautiful shores.
I haven’t been back to Samsun in five years, but I visited Long Island this summer. Walking along its shores brought this story to mind and made me feel a little closer to my hometown—and, in a way, to the story of a man whose garden I had enjoyed without ever knowing the remarkable person behind it.
Today, there is a wealth of information about Carl Tobey available online, including photographs and stories about the botanical garden he created at Samsun Anatolian High School. It is fascinating to uncover the story behind a place I remember so fondly from my school years and to learn more about the remarkable man whose garden I had the pleasure of exploring with my friend Tulin, even though we never had the opportunity to meet him.
Charbonnaz Edmond
5 Years AgoMeeting Carl Tobey
Back in 1971 it was my privilege to meet Carl Tobey in Samsun.
I was traveling from Israel to Istanbul. Obviously not on a hurry and I had decided to go up to Samsun. There I got to know Carl Tobey who probably addressed me in some restaurant. He was very friendly and made me meet his Turkish friends in town and in the countryside. I remember a fishing trip with a castnet and the delicious meal our catch provided at the farmers’ place.
Wonderful memories. Thanks to Carl Tobey.
Yasar Yilmaz
6 Years AgoLove From Samsun With Deepest Respect
Here I am at the age of 45, a young boy from Samsun in Turkey reading about Carl Tobey with tears in my eyes, and remembering him with deepest respect. I feel privileged for being his student.