Charles Biddle ’47

Charley, whose life reflects the globalization of our era, died Nov. 1, 2003.

He returned to Princeton in 1946 after WWII service as an Air Corps navigator. Graduating in 1948, he secured a Harvard MBA in 1951 and married fellow Philadelphian Phoebe Taylor in 1954.

Charley's business career took off in 1960 when he joined International Flavors and Fragrances, which markets top-of-the-line perfumes and related products. He soon headed IFF's European operations, which included the Middle East and Africa, and later its Far East and Pacific business during a time of explosive growth in that region, when new lifestyles mixed with old traditions. He, and very often Phoebe, traveled extensively during these years, forming friendships with people in diverse places.

In 1968, while sailing in the Caribbean, they discovered St. Barthelemy, a small, unspoiled island in the French West Indies. They bought land there and constructed a house that became a beloved home during happy retirement years invigorated by many intellectual interests and avocations.

A cosmopolitan traveler, accomplished in the arts of international business and acculturation, Charley enjoyed learning more about our world and how to live well within it.

With admiration for his achievements, we extend warmest wishes to Phoebe, their sons, Charles and Willing, and four grandchildren.

The Class of 1947