David R. McCarthy ’49

Dave died April 15, 2023, at his home in Claremont, Calif., at age 94.

Born in Chicago, he grew up in Southern California with four brothers and graduated from California Preparatory School. At Princeton, he majored in history and was a member of Campus Club and president of the Spanish Club. He married Marilyn Maxwell, a student at Westminster Choir College, in 1949; she died in 2011.

Dave earned a master’s degree in psychology at Claremont (Calif.) Graduate University and began working as a marketing executive and consultant. In 1973, he moved to a career in executive search, bringing candidates into senior positions for the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Nixon and Ford administrations, including key executives to manage the restructuring of the U.S. rail system and formation of Conrail. Dave then transitioned to senior executive recruiting, focusing on nonprofit entities in education, public broadcasting, and the arts. He recruited numerous presidents at universities and was deeply involved in bringing leadership to public broadcasting including NPR and several leading PBS broadcasting affiliates.

Dave was also active on the Alumni Schools Committee, introducing Southern California high school students to Princeton and acting as a champion for their admission. He was described as a man of large talent and small ego and known for his big smile and sense of humor.

Dave is survived by his three sons, Kevin, David Jr. ’77, and Stephen; seven grandsons; two great-grandchildren; and his companion Nancy Norris.