David L. Williams ’57

Dave, another of our noted professors, died May 28, 2025.

The son of David Williams 1926 and brother of Morton Williams ’54, (both of whom are deceased), he came to Princeton from Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y. He was a numeral and letter winner on the lightweight crew and rowed on the boat that received international publicity when it sank in the Potomac River in 1954. Dave majored in history, joined Charter Club, and sang in the Glee Club. Senior year he roomed with John McCarroll and fellow crew members Tony Fletcher and Lou Strayer.

After graduation Dave served for three years in the Army and then studied political science at Columbia University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1968. During this period, he married Karen Averill and they had one child, Elisabeth Averill. He then embarked on a long career as a political science professor at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, serving 10 years as department chairman. He retired in 2000 and then continued his interest in history and politics as an avid reader, and doing charitable work.

Dave is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Elisabeth; and one grandson.