David McWilliams Ludlum ’33 *38

Dave Ludlum died May 23, 1997, at his Princeton home. He prepared at Newark Academy, was active in Triangle, and joined Charter. He majored in American history, later earning a master's from the U. of California, followed by a PhD from Princeton in 1938.

Dave taught history for three years at Peddie before joining the Army in 1941, becoming a battlefield weather forecaster. The weather forecasting unit he commanded in the assault on the German fortress on Monte Cassino had such a significant role that the operation was called "Operation Ludlum." Dave's obituary in Time referred to him as the "weatherwise historian whose meteorological forecasts influenced the course of WWII."

Dave's interests in American history and weather and his remarkable forecasting ability remained important parts of his career and life. He wrote a series of books, contributed to magazines, and headed System's Accounts, the nation's first weather-instrument sales company. Princeton, too, relied on Dave's remarkable understanding of weather. During one commencement, rain was falling in front of Nassau Hall fifteen minutes before the ceremony. Dave was called; he said, "Don't move it. You will be all right." The skies then cleared.

Dave led a full, fascinating life, and was a loyal and active member of our class. We extend our sympathies to his wife, Rita, his daughter, Carol Collier, and his sons Kenneth, David, Peter, and Stephen.

The Class of 1933