Cornelius H. Talbert ’49

Neil died Apr. 9, 2003, of complications from diabetes. He was 83.

Neil was one of the older members of the class. He prepared for Princeton at Cranford [N.J.] HS. He came to Princeton after training with the Royal Canadian Air Force and from European service with the Royal Air Force. When the US entered WWII, Neil transferred to the Navy and spent the remainder of the war flying seaplanes in the Southwest Pacific theater.

After graduation Neil returned to naval service and served for more than 20 years, retiring as a commander. He was one of the most experienced flying boat pilots in the Navy, and served a tour at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Md., flight-testing the newest flying boats. He also attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. After he retired to Santa Cruz, Calif., Neil had a second career as a broker, appraiser, and Realtor. He was active in numerous professional and service organizations, and was accorded many honors in his field.

Neil is survived by his wife, Patricia, sons Neil Jr., Peder, and George, a daughter, Cynthia Barros, and three grandchildren. The class extends its deepest sympathy to them on the loss of this committed American.

The Class of 1949