George Jason Hanks Jr. ’42

George prepared for Princeton at the Lawrenceville School. At college he was manager of the wrestling team and a member of Dial Lodge. He majored in mechanical engineering, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated with high honors.  

Immediately after graduation, George went to work for the former Union Carbide & Carbon Corp. as a mechanical engineer. His whole career was with Union Carbide. Initially he worked on the process for making polyethylene, a new plastic used in the insulation of radar cables. He later went on to become plant manager of the Whiting, Ind., plant and subsequently head of Carbide’s environmental protection department, which oversaw 20 plants nationwide.

George was dedicated to his wife, Joyce, and his three daughters. Sailing with them on Chesapeake Bay gave him great satisfaction. He was a talented photographer, metal sculptor, and recorder of family history. This last pursuit culminated in a book, The Hanks’ Family History.