Charles F. Mapes Jr. ’55

Charlie, a mainstay of the class, lifelong resident of New Jersey, and a devoted golfer who focused on fitness, died April 30, 2024. Charlie and wife Dodie, who died nine weeks before he did, were a mainstay of Princeton life. They were co-chairs of the class Reunion Committee, provided guidance for class trips and mini-reunions, and were regulars at football and basketball games. Charlie was treasurer of the Class of ’55 Foundation as well as board member of PrincetonAlumni Corps, and co-chair with Dodie of the building and grounds committee.

Charlie, son of Charles F. Mapes ’29, was born in Brooklyn Nov. 26, 1932. He attended Exeter and participated in basketball, baseball, and soccer. At Princeton, he majored in economics and joined Cannon Club. He participated in IAA touch football, basketball, and baseball. His senior-year roommates were Dan Houck, Tim Rogers, and Bill Chaffee.

After graduation, Charlie worked in Princeton for 17 years with an advertising research firm co-founded by the ad pioneer George Gallup, then co-founded his own firm. In 1996, he retired and did volunteer work, helping seniors fill out tax returns, working with Meals on Wheels, and tutoring Trenton children in math. He and Dodie loved to travel, both with Class of ’55-organized trips and on their own. 

A prime interest was golf, at which he won tournaments at his Bedens Brook Club. Classmate Rich Thompson paired with Charlie and won a club tournament in 2014 “mostly due to his play. He was an incredible competitor.” 

Charlie and Dodie lived in Hopewell, Princeton, Pennington, at a summer place in Stone Harbor, and lastly moved to his boyhood family home in Princeton. Charlie is survived by his son, Charles F. III; daughters Linda and Elizabeth; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.