H. Hamilton Hackney Jr. ’53

Hap died July 12, 2024.

Born in Baltimore, Md., he graduated from St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., and began his college career at Vanderbilt University before coming to Princeton as a sophomore. He joined Cap and Gown and majored in economics, writing his thesis on “Development and Functions of the Municipal Civil Rights Commissions in Four Major Cities.”

After serving two years in the Army as an artillery officer with the 3rd Infantry Division during the Korean War, Hap obtained an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia in 1958 and then embarked on a successful career in advertising. He started as an account executive for VanSant Dugdale and later held positions as vice president at A. Hoen & Co., chairman of George W. King Co., and vice president at Shandwick Advertising.

Throughout his life, Hap was a dedicated member of St. John’s Church in Glyndon, Md., where he served as senior warden. He also served on the board of trustees at St. Timothy’s School, the Episcopal widows and orphans fund, Union Memorial Hospital, and as president of the Brightwood Board of Trustees.

In 1961, Hap married Anne King Bailey, with whom he had two children, Hamilton III and Anne. He was later remarried to Mary Hammond Hackney, with whom he enjoyed over 40 years of a loving marriage. In addition to Mary and his children, he is survived by his stepchildren Molly and Eyre Baldwin, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.