Charles Derosear Hastings ’53

Chuck died Sept. 14, 2005, at home in San Jose, Calif., after living with cancer for many years.

An "Army brat," he spent his youth living in many parts of the U.S. and also in Panama. He studied medicine at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and went to California for his internal medicine residency. He was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany, while fulfilling his military obligation.

After his discharge, Chuck opened a private practice in San Jose. Six years later he joined Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, Calif., where he practiced until he retired 10 years ago. Besides his beloved family, his passions were his patients, world travel, painting and sculpture, and learning. Chuck studied all manner of topics and enjoyed the learning process as much as the subject.

An intensely private man, he disappeared from Princeton's view during the 1960s. Harry Hartzell and Tom Brandt rediscovered him in 2003. Tom recalls many adventures when Chuck and he worked backstage for Theatre Intime and Triangle Club. Chuck was best man at Tom's wedding. His San Jose friends remember him for his smile, booming voice, and signature hearty laugh.

The class extends sympathy to Chuck's wife, Suzanne; children Eric, Aaron, Heather, Nicole, and Mark; grandchildren August and Adrian; and brother Wally.

The Class of 1953