Grandin Wise ’39

GRANDY LOST his long struggle against Parkinson's disease on July 3, 1993, but he never lost the generous, enthusiastic spirit that was a hallmark of his career as an educator. Except for his WWII service as a major in the field artillery and a year at Harvard's Graduate School of Education, Grandy's entire career was on the faculty of the Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Mass. At our 45th reunion in 1984, we presented him with our 1939 Award, in recognition of his lifetime achievement as an educator, bringing honor to the university and our class.

Grandy and his beloved wife, Kay, were married privately before he left Princeton, following a shipboard romance during his 1938 trip to Europe with the track team. In 1982, Kay died of cancer and illness forced Grandy to retire. Their devoted daughter, Penny (Kerns), had been his mainstay ever since.

Grandy's citation ended, "Grandy, we are truly proud to present our top award with real affection to 1939's own Mr. Chips, to whom we are not saying goodbye." But now we must. Goodbye to a wise, goodhumored, and courageous old friend.

The Class of 1939