Dwayne Harry Jelinek ’64

Dwayne Jelinek died in the early hours of July 25, 2007, after a brave battle with ALS.

Born in Crete, Neb., Dwayne graduated from Omaha Benson High School, where he was active in sports and the student council. At Princeton, Dwayne majored in politics, writing his thesis on the problems of African unity, and working in the dining halls.

After graduation, he had the experience of a lifetime when he joined the Peace Corps for two years in Peru. During Peace Corps training, he met volunteer Janet Hinckley, who became his wife in 1966. After returning home, Dwayne earned an MBA at Harvard in 1968. While employed by Lewis Berger Consulting, Dwayne continued his foreign journeys, and he and Janet traveled to South America and Thailand.

Returning stateside, Dwayne moved to Denver, where, with several partners, he set up the Mountain West Research consulting firm. When they opened an office in Billings, Mont., Dwayne and his family moved there. He worked on several exciting projects, completing his career with WCS Telecom.

Dwayne was an avid fan of Princeton softball and the Nebraska Cornhuskers and enjoyed gardening. He is survived by Janet; his son, Erik Paul; his daughter, Kristi Elizabeth ’95; and three granddaughters. With his family and friends, the class mourns his loss and celebrates his life.