Charles Dowden McCracken Jr. ’38

Charlie McCracken died of lymphoma on Nov. 20, 1996, at his home in State College, Pa., where he had lived for the past 12 years.

He came to Princeton from Blair Academy, where he was on the tennis and wrestling teams, the track squad, and the band. At Princeton, he continued his wrestling, tennis, and track and also played in the band. He majored in psychology and was a member of Key and Seal Club.

Charlie was commissioned as second lieutenant from our ROTC unit and served during WWII from 1941-46 in the Field Artillery, seeing action in the New Guinea and Philippines campaigns. He was briefly a prisoner of war and returned home with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Charlie's entire business career was devoted to running his real estate and insurance business in New Hope, Pa., and Lambertville, N.J., until he retired in 1979. He derived great pleasure from deep-sea fishing and spent winters in Vero Beach and Key Colony, Fla. He maintained an interest in chess throughout his life.

His late father '02, late uncle '07, and his brother John '36 all also went to Princeton. On Oct. 18, 1952, Charlie married Mary Elizabeth Moran, who survives him, as do daughters Beth Whittam and Ann, three grandsons, and a granddaughter. The class joins with them in sorrow over their loss.

The Class of 1938