Clyde Van Wye Popowich ’54

Mike died Nov. 29, 2019.

He participated in debating, basketball, and, with particular distinction, football at Chaney High School in Youngstown, Ohio (the same school as famed Frank McPhee ’53, his roommate freshman year). Sturdily built, he is said to have been a great punter, capable of reliably sending a ball 75 yards.

At Princeton he majored in civil engineering, played freshman football and baseball, participated in IAA basketball, and joined Cannon Club.

After a year at Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp., he joined the Navy in 1955 and enjoyed a 22-year naval career managing construction and maintenance in Vietnam, where he was awarded a Bronze Star with V for Valor; in Japan and in the United States. He served on the staff of a NATO command in London. After retirement from active duty he worked on projects in Saudi Arabia and Kwajalein and on earthquake response in Mexico City.

Mike regretted that his highly mobile work-life precluded the development of deep roots and a circle of friends and acquaintances. He valued most his friendships in the Class of ’54, and reveled in renewing contacts at class reunions.

He is survived by his son David, daughter Michele, and four grandchildren. His son Dane died in 2005 and Jackie, his wife of 57 years, in 2010.