Henry W. Lane ’78

Henry died Dec. 12, 2020. He fought pancreatic cancer with ferociousness and grace for 27 months, inspiring us, bringing us together, and taking care of us, just as he did on campus. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his sons, Everett, Kerney, and Arthur; Arthur’s wife Gabby, and their new daughter Camden. Roommates Jon Gross, John Bodel, Bo Torrey, and Michael Doar visited him in his final months.

A three-sport varsity athlete who played hockey through senior year, Henry was an unselfish leader, toughest on himself, and the fiercest protector a teammate could have. 

Henry worked at Procter & Gamble, Tom’s of Maine, Environmental Products, and Nestlé Waters, before moving to San Luis Obispo, Calif., in 1996 to become partner and eventually president and CEO of Dioptics Medical Products, a medical eyewear business. He also served Princeton well, designing and donating fabulous orange-and-black sunglasses for our 25th reunion, and as the driving force behind the multi-class community service projects at our 40th.

In 2015, Henry returned from California and settled in Bay Head, N.J., where he had spent so many happy childhood summers. He treasured and carefully maintained his 1880s home, invited friends and classmates frequently for weekends and some “412 punch,” and made pre-reunion festivities de rigueur. 

Henry is also survived by siblings Sarah, Stephen ’72, Mark, Catherine, Mary ’79, and Teresa ’84. His mother Sally left us last summer, having spent 10 weeks in Henry’s care at Bay Head. His father, Art ’34 (class president, Pyne Prize winner, and captain of the undefeated 1933 football team), died in 1997.