George Elias Alter Jr. ’38

George Elias Alter Jr. died May 10, 2007, in Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Born Feb. 9, 1916, in Springdale, Pa., he spent his childhood in Pittsburgh, where he attended Arnold School (now Shady Side Academy). George earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from Princeton.

For 10 years he was involved in chemical research at the Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh. Thereafter he worked for Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., rising to superintendent of the Blair Limestone division before his retirement in 1976. For many years he was also a board member of the Old National Bank of Martinsburg, W.Va. (now BB&T Corp.).

In 1949 George married Patricia Kent White, the widow of George’s classmate Kimble White. They were happily married until her death in 2005.

During the many years that they lived in the Martinsburg area, George compiled a remarkable record of community service. In addition to serving on the Trinity Episcopal Church vestry, he was a director or officer of the Rotary Club, chamber of commerce, Boy Scouts, Berkeley County Planning Commission, and the board of education.

George is survived by two sons, one stepson, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The class extends its sincere condolences to each of them.