Herschel R. Phelps Jr. ’53

Herschel died Dec. 12, 2017, at Tru Hospice in Greeley, Colo.

He grew up in Denver and graduated from East High School before entering Princeton, where he majored in biology. He was a member of Terrace Club, the Glee Club, and the Pre-Med Society. He was also an accomplished pianist and a member of the Princeton Men’s Chorus. After graduation, Herschel married Marilyn June Watters and entered the University of Colorado Medical School.

Accepting a commission in the Air Force enabled him to complete his medical studies with a degree in ophthalmology and serve at a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas, before returning to Colorado to a practice in Greeley and Loveland. Herschel found time outside his practice to learn Mandarin Chinese and to make a number of trips to China to do cataract surgery.

He also taught English as a second language to people in Guadalajara, Mexico. Closer to home, Herschel enjoyed participating in the Greeley Chamber Choir, directing church youth choirs, and providing piano and organ accompaniment.

Herschel’s wife, Marilyn, died in 2001. He is survived by his four children, David, Deborah, Sarah, and Benjamin; and four grandchildren.