Charles H. Ellis Jr. ’30

CHARLIE ELLIS died Nov. 11, 1992, in Kennett Sq., Penn. Writing and talking about politics was a lifelong love of Charlie's, and his greatest thrill as a newspaper man was covering the State Dept., outside Secretary Hulls office, the day Pearl Harbor was bombed.

At Princeton, Charlie was on the varsity swim squad. After graduation, he turned to journalism, working first at the Philadelphia PUBLIC LEDGER and then with the INQUIRER. In 1940 he was sent to Washington to cover the government. He made several trips with F.D.R., including following the campaign of 1940.

During the war, Charlie served in the Navy, first at the Newport Training Station and then with the Eighth Amphibious Unit in the Mediterranean. After the war, he rejoined the INQUIRER as associate editor, writing editorials. Known for his quick wit, he wrote a book in 1956 on the humorous aspects of campaigning for the presidency. It received favorable reviews from the N.Y. TIMES as one of the funniest books of the year but was probably ahead of its time.

Charlie is survived by his widow, Gerry; by two sons, Charles H. III and Thomas L; by a daughter, Sarah K.; and by four grandchildren; to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.

The Class of 1930