Charles Cromwell III ’54 *60

Charlie died Oct. 20, 2016, of congestive heart failure at Washington Hospital Center, surrounded by his family.

Born in Baltimore, he attended Gilman School. A member of Colonial Club, he majored in basic engineering. He entered the Navy during his senior year and served as an aviation cadet and airman. He returned to Princeton and completed his last year and earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering.

His career focused on aeronautics and the defense industry and included service during the 1960s and 1970s for the Navy Bureau of Weapons, the Senate Permanent Investigations Committee, and the Senate Armed Forces Service Committee. On Sept. 12, 1956, he married Drewry Warfield, and the couple raised four children.

In 1970, Charlie formed a consulting firm, guiding defense contractors small and large in pursuit of procurement and research-and-development programs. He was an avid hunter, hiker, and gym rat. He enjoyed spending summer weeks with his family on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. He served as a Republican precinct chairman for three decades.

Charlie is survived by his companion of 20 years, Elizabeth Welles; sons Robert and Ridgely; daughters Polly and Susanna ’84; nine grandchildren; and his sister, Helene. The class is honored by his service to our country.