Henry Van Cammann Rensselaer ’42

Harry died May 27, 2001, in Austin, Tex., his home since he retired from the oil business in Calgary, Alberta, in 1993. Although he entered the securities field after the war, his first love was oil exploration and development, serving as vice president-finance of Bow Valley Industries from 1965-75 and as chairman of Polaris Petroleum from 1980-93, both in Calgary. He was widely respected in the Calgary oil patch for his quiet capability and his encouragement of younger people's careers.

Harry came to Princeton from Kent, but left prior to graduation to join the war effort, serving for five years in the Air Force. An outstanding tennis player, he was ranked 18th among American tennis players in 1957, the first player over age 35 to break into the top 20. He also won his international ski instructor's certificate at the age of 53 and shot a 74 in his last round of golf in April, a month or so before his death.

Harry was preceded in death by his wife, Sue, on May 9, 2001. To his daughters, Jacqueline and Roseanne, and to his seven grandchildren the class extends its most heartfelt sympathies.

The Class of 1942