Gene died Dec. 15, 2016.

Born Dec. 1, 1927 in Kearny, N.J., Gene came to Princeton from Blair Academy. He was a member of Charter Club, a history major, and a cheerleader, and was on the diving team. As a freshman, he was featured in Life magazine as an up-and-coming diver. Gene was East Coast collegiate diving champion.

Gene, Bob Abernethy, and Art Hilsinger joined the Army in 1946, serving together in Japan just after World War II. Afterward, they all returned to Princeton. Gene lived in the fifth entry of Cuyler with Hilsinger, Ed Jadwin, and several other classmates. He married Ann Francis in 1951, the stewardess and the lifeguard.

Gene’s career began as a paint salesman, working for Jones Dabney. He spent almost two decades with PPG Industries and then was CEO of American Inks and Coatings in Philadelphia until he retired. Both while working and in retirement, Gene loved boating. He and Ann and sometimes family or friends spent time on the Grand Banks cruising the waters of the East Coast.

Retiring to Savannah, Ga., Gene and Ann enjoyed all aspects of retirement, from traveling and golf to volunteer work. Gene’s passion was his work for the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force and the Historical Society of Savannah.

Gene is survived by his wife, Ann; his daughter Stephanie and her husband Dean; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His daughter Karolyn pre-deceased him in 2009.

Undergraduate Class of 1949