Francis R. Strawbridge III ’59

Fran, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., died April 22, 2024.

He prepared for Princeton at the Haverford School, where he was active in football and baseball. At Princeton, his senior year roommates were Bill Butler, Bob MacNeille, Ash Miller, and Dave Ober. He majored in psychology, was in Cannon Club, and played freshman baseball. Later in life, he played doubles tennis and traveled widely,

Fran’s family had four generations of management involvement in Strawbridge & Clothier, a leading retailer in the Delaware Valley since its founding in 1861. He worked in the firm for 35 years, was chairman of the board from 1984 to 1996, and had the challenging job of convincing family members and store associates to sell the firm to The May Co. in 1996. In Fran’s opinion this turned out to be the right decision at the right time.

Over the years, Fran was an active board member in his region and industry: hospitals, health systems, Mellon Bank, Temple University, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, retailing organizations, and even chairmanship of the board of the Princeton University Store.

Fran was survived by his wife, Mary Jo Beatty Strawbridge, whom he married in 1969; four daughters; and four grandchildren.