Donovan Russell Ellis Jr. ’40

The death of Don Ellis, on Aug. 16, 1989, extinguished a shining star in our galaxy of class leaders. Don served us faithfully as V.P., reunion chairman, and Annual Giving agent. His genuine, friendly greeting with that heartwarming twinkle in his eye will be missed at our 50th reunion and other class gatherings. So many of our class occasions will not be the same without the gracious hosting of Don and Barbara Ellis.

The son of Donovan Ellis '16, Don prepared at Nutley (N.J.) High School. At Princeton, he majored in chemical engineering, played 150-lb. football, and was a member of Campus Club. He later received a master's degree in engineering from the Illinois Inst. of Technology. During WWII, Don served as a lieutenant in the Navy in the Pacific. As the commanding officer of LCT-58 and LCS-9, Don was awarded the Bronze Star for action in the Solomons and the Philippines. Don's business career was mainly in the field of health care. He settled in Princeton and was associated with Johnson & Johnson. After retiring, Don worked in commercial real estate for several years.

His widow, the former Barbara Sayre, survives him, along with two daughters, Joan S. Ellis and Julie E. Williams, and two grandsons. Bob Sayre '37 is Don's brother-in-law. To them and Don's many friends and associates the class extends its deepest sympathy. We share their grief to the fullest but at the same time find comfort in the memory of such a loyal classmate.

The Class of 1940