Charles Henry Gallagher Rees ’45

Charles "Cat" Rees died July 12, 2006, following surgery.

He entered Princeton from Lawrenceville in the footsteps of his brother, Albert '43, and joined Ivy Club. Cat volunteered and served with Patton's Third Army, and as a platoon leader in Germany, he earned the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. Cat started his career with the famed bridge builders John A. Roebling & Sons until he was recalled for Korean service in 1951.

In a stint with the Central Intelligence Agency's covert operations, he became an ardent disciple of the late George F. Kennan '25. Then as a civilian Cat joined the enterprises of John Hay Whitney and finished his distinguished career in 1985 as president of Whitney Communications Corp.

He believed strongly in public service. In addition to many business and civic board memberships, he was a trustee of Foxcroft School and of Riverside Research Institute, which contracts with the Department of Defense.

Cat is survived by his wife of 51 years, the former Nancy Thomas; four daughters, Liberty T., Camilla R.G., Nancy Wall, and Hilleary Coleman; his brother, Albert; and five grandchildren. The class expresses its sympathy to the family.