Chester A. Files Jr. ’45

The class lost another of its officers when Chet Files died Jan. 8, 2013.

Chet entered Princeton from Providence Country Day and joined Terrace Club. His Princeton career was interrupted by World War II service with the 75th Division, which saw combat in Germany.

Returning to Princeton, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1948 and thereafter enjoyed a long career working with law firms and banking institutions as an expert title examiner. Chet spent a quarter-century with the Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Co. of Philadelphia.

Chet remained active in the Army Reserve and was commissioned in 1960. He was in the Rhode Island National Guard until retiring as a major.

He remained devoted to the class, seldom missing any event — whether a reunion, Alumni Day, or a football game. His presence made each occasion enjoyable. When the class needed a secretary, Chet volunteered, and remained the author of our Class Notes columns until his unexpected and sudden death from pancreatic cancer.

There are no survivors known to the class, but we salute this loyal classmate. We will miss his presence whenever our dwindling numbers gather together.