Henry A. Rentschler ’50

“Hank” Rentschler, a class stalwart and generous supporter of the University, died March 26, 2013, after a long struggle with cancer.

Hank graduated from Phillips Andover. At Princeton, where his father was in the Class of ’25, he was on the lightweight crew, belonged to Colonial, and majored in economics. Among his varied contributions to our class were editing class directories, serving as class president during our 50th reunion, and raising over $1 million for the Class of ’50 Scholarship Fund and an economics department endowment.

Hank served as a lieutenant in the Navy from 1952 to 1954. He held several administrative and management positions at Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corp., later Baldwin-Hamilton Co., and eventually rose to its presidency. The firm’s products included Baldwin locomotives. He retired in 1991.

When his church, St. Peter’s in Malvern, Pa., replaced its original 1744 building, Hank stepped up as a major donor for both the building and its new organ. He also started an endowment for music. He served on the Tredyffrin Township (Pa.) board of supervisors and on the boards of the Stratton Mutual Funds and the Society for Industrial Archaeology.

Our sympathy goes to Rosmarie Hope, his dear companion of 27 years; children Walter, Stephanie, and Patricia; two grandchildren; a brother, Thomas; and sister Elizabeth.