George A. Pieler ’73

George died Sept. 30, 2021, of a heart condition at his Washington, D.C. home.

Born March 17, 1951, George attended Hinsdale Township High School near Chicago. At Princeton he majored in public and international affairs (Woodrow Wilson School) and was active in Whig-Clio, where he served as president.

George attended Columbia Law School, graduating in 1976. He moved to Washington, serving as an attorney at the Federal Reserve and later on the staff of Republican Sen. Bob Dole, majority leader in the Senate. George then held several positions in the Department of Education, ending as acting deputy undersecretary.

Following government service, George worked with several nonprofits and policy groups in Washington, including as co-founder of the Washington Scholarship Fund. He published widely, on a range of policy issues, while remaining active as a private attorney.

George had a great love for, and deep knowledge of, classical music. His passion was evident at Princeton, with an already large collection of classical recordings that blossomed once he was no longer constrained by a student budget. Intensely private, he was also a lifelong friend to many across all ideological lines, who will miss his wit, unique sense of humor, and generosity.