Harold Nelson Hobart Jr. ’52

Nels Hobart died March 16, 2011, in Hutchinson, Kan. He was 83.

Born and raised in Kansas, Nels came to Princeton from the Lawrenceville School. At Princeton he majored in English and belonged to Ivy Club.

After graduation, newly married to Joyce Rock, Nels returned to Kansas and entered the grain-storage business with an elevator in Hutchinson. In 1966 he moved to raising cattle and grain in Kansas and Colorado.

While still farming, Nels ran a semipro baseball team from 1979 to 1987. The team recruited college players from all over the country and played an intensive summer schedule. It developed a number of future major leaguers, including Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Bruce Ruffin, Roger McDowell, and Brett Butler.

Nels retired from farming and ranching in 1984. By our 50th reunion he was “reading a lot, drinking a little, and enjoying life.”

He is survived by Joyce; sons John and Ted; daughters Harriet Matthews, Carolyn Elliott, and Barbara Snyder; and 12 grandchildren. To them all, the class extends its condolences.