Henry Mayer Jr. ’35

Born in New York City, Hank came to Princeton from the Peddie School. At Prince- ton, he majored in biology, ate at Arbor Inn, roomed with Andy Andreas, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a medical degree from Columbia, had an internal-medicine residency at Lenox Hill in New York, and had training in radiology and cardiology.

After five years as a medical officer in the Navy during World War II, Hank emerged as a lieutenant commander and established a family practice in Redwood City, Calif., where his Navy service had taken him and his wife, Olive (“Ollie”). He practiced there until shortly before his death, becoming a founder of Sequoia Hospital and ultimately the oldest practicing physician in San Mateo County.  

He and Ollie were deeply involved in progressive causes, including civil rights, environmental protection, and family planning. He was a world traveler and an accomplished photographer and filmmaker, producing nine documentaries (some award-winning) on population growth and conservation.  

Hank is survived by Ollie, his wife of 67 years; son Bob ’70 and his wife, Lisa ’79; daughter Judy O’Brien and her husband, Brad ’71; and four grandchildren.