Charles R. Debevoise ’47

Charlie, one of our first honorary classmates, died at his home in Harding Township, N.J., on May 28, 1996, after a long illness, which he confronted with his customary positive outlook.

Charlie was raised in South Orange, N.J. He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1943 and came to Princeton with the Navy's V12 unit. Following his stint with the V12, he was commissioned a lt. in the Marine Corps. After the war he earned a BA at Colby College and an MBA at the Wharton School.

His business career was spent in marketing, first with Smith, Kline and French, then with Climax Molybdenum, and from 1972-92 with Filtrine Mfg. Co., from which he retired as v.p. in sales and marketing.

Not only was Charlie devoted to his family, but he was dedicated to Harding Township, where he lived for 35 years. He served on the boards of many New Jersey organizations. He was a founder and driving force in the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

Charlie enlivened reunions and class lunches in Princeton. His warmth, love of life, and good humor will be missed by his friends. The class extends its deepest sympathy to Lillie, his wife of 43 years, their son, Charles R. Jr., their daughters, Anne and Jane, and their eight grandchildren.

The Class of 1947