David E. Appleton ’59

Dave died March 29, 2010, in Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

Born and raised in Denver, Dave came to Princeton from Denver’s East High School. He majored in chemical engineering, rowed with the freshman crew, and rose to the presidency of the engineering council and head waiter in Commons. Married at the end of junior year, Dave exerted a sobering influence over his fellow Cannon Club members.

After graduation Dave went to work for Standard Oil of California (later Chevron), being posted throughout the United States and abroad, including Holland and Saudi Arabia. He spent many years in the Middle East as a senior project manager and remained with the company for his entire career, retiring in 1992.

Following a divorce, Dave remarried in 1980, adding four children to his existing two, and substantially bolstering his quest to be the classmate with the most grandchildren, claiming 13 at the time of his death.

In our 25th-reunion yearbook, Dave wrote, “I have found that helping other people is a very rewarding thing — it should be life’s highest priority.” It was certainly that for Dave, a hospital, church, and Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Dave is survived by his wife, Judy (who described him as the most loyal alum in Princeton history); his children; stepchildren; grandchildren; and two brothers.