George P. Bischof ’58

“Big George” died Sept. 2, 2012, in Palo Alto, Calif., after struggling many years with MS.

Born and educated in his early years in Lake Forest, Ill., George came to Princeton from the Hotchkiss School. There, he fulfilled the required freshman bodybuilding course while he was assistant manager of the football team, and eventually played and became team captain. After a freshman football injury, and fortunately for Princeton, he transferred his interest in athletics to crew, where he rowed varsity for three years, and also in a four with cox, narrowly missing a spot at the ’56 Olympics.

George majored in history and lived en suite with other oars, A. Allen, Blaydow, Brookfield, Rodgers, Brooks, Foss, Hicks, Pope, Rulon-Miller, and P. Smith. Post-graduation he served as an officer in the Army and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School. The bulk of his career was spent in investment banking at Smith Barney, Merrill Lynch, and Nomura Securities.

George was a consummate gentleman of the old school who reveled in his association with Princeton, attending most mini and major reunions and class get-togethers until his health precluded it. He is survived by his brother, Tony ’57; and his sons, Christopher and George, and their families, to whom the class extends deepest condolences.