Henry Walton Wessells III ’48

Henry, Nancy, and their four boys spent three years in Paris when he was Budd’s technical director for Europe. His body designs were in production for many years. As the Japanese took automotive leadership, he took early retirement.

Henry’s great passion was for racing Alfa Romeo cars, and he served as president of the Alfa Romeo race organization in 1992.  

Henry came to us from the Lower Merion (Pa.) High School. At Princeton he was in Cloister Inn and was involved with the Rugby Club, rifle team, and Mountaineering Club. He was in the Army from 1945 to 1946, and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in basic engineering. He died of heart disease Aug. 12, 2008.

He and Nancy, his wife of 51 years, were enthusiastic beaglers with the Ardrossan Beagles. Their pre-revolutionary house in Paoli, Pa., is a jewel that was known as a marvelous venue for teas for fellow hound enthusiasts.

The class is saddened at the death of such an accomplished friend, and offers Nancy and sons Henry ’83, Hunter, Cooper, and Archie its heartfelt condolences.