Harold W. Holly ’47

Bill's Princeton days and career reflect themes of our war-torn class's history. He joined Princeton's Marine V-12 unit in Sept. 1944 — just as many of us were leaving the campus. He graduated in June 1946 — just as many began to return. Like many of us, Bill met his future bride, Eleanor "El" Wilson, while at Princeton and married her upon graduation. And like many, he was called back for service during the Korean War. Thereafter, he earned a PhD in chemistry from Rutgers, joined American Cyanamid, and settled near Princeton. Sadly, El died in 1963. Seeking a "new start," Bill and the children moved to California. He married Ann Kuhar in 1983, became a respected forensic chemist in the courts, and a passionate golfer.

Bill often talked of "going back" to a reunion, but alas, never did. Yet he recounted fond memories of college days, which nourished his enduring love of music and learning — legacies now cherished by his family. He is remembered as a principled, straight-arrow guy whose life epitomized those qualities of civic virtue we like to ascribe to our generation. Regrettably, news of Bill's death (in June 2000) came late to us, but we now extend warm love to Ann and the family.

The Class of 1947