Henry J. Powsner ’50

Henry died Aug. 12, 2019, in Princeton, N.J.

A graduate of Woodmere High School in Hewlett, N.Y., at Princeton he played in the band, earned honors in physics, and belonged to Prospect. While an undergrad he kept a baby alligator in his bathtub despite a University prohibition of animals in dorms, and was asked to live off campus after proudly demonstrating to a proctor how he had set off a fire alarm without breaking the glass.

After three semesters of biophysics at MIT, he decided to pursue a medical degree at Penn Medical School. Upon completion of his internship, he began an Air Force-sponsored residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, which led to service as an Air Force physician until 1966. He then returned to Princeton, where he practiced radiology until retiring in 1997.

Henry was active in local and state government and participated in many community activities. During his Air Force stint, he and wife Dana became addicted to travel, which led to journeys to six of the seven continents. His love of gadgets, tools, and puns followed him throughout his life.

Henry is survived by daughters Laurie, Shelley, and Kim ’77, and six grandchildren. Dana, whom he met while at MIT and married three months later, predeceased him in 2014.