Van died Aug. 27, 2015, in his beloved summer home in York Harbor, Maine, at age 100.
Van was raised in New York City and came to Princeton from St. Paul’s School. In college he majored in French and was a member of the squash, rugby, and track teams. He ate at Charter Club and roomed with Arthur Grenier throughout his time at Princeton. Van later served as our class treasurer and president.
He was the skipper of a destroyer escort in the Pacific during World War II, then headed C.B. Richard & Co. before retiring to Vero Beach, Fla., in 1983. He was a devoted philanthropist and served on many boards of hospitals and other civic organizations. Van enjoyed travel, spurred by a year of traveling around the world after graduation. He was also an avid golfer and bridge player, still taking bridge lessons at age 100 to stay current.
Van was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Jane; and his son, Peter. He is survived by his daughter, Phyllis Fritts; son-in-law Guy Fritts; daughter-in-law Virginia Richard; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.