Heyward M. Wharton ’43

Heyward died Aug. 3, 2022, surrounded by family and friends in Newtown Square, Pa. He was 101 years old.

Heyward came to Princeton from Episcopal Academy. He was president of the Student Council there, played football and basketball, and was captain of the track team. At Princeton, he earned two major “P” letters in track before leaving for basic training in the Naval Reserve, following his father who was a lieutenant commander in the Navy.

As his classmates were graduating, Heyward was already an aviation machinist mate. He was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet until it sank during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in late October 1942, part of the task force protecting the landings and troops on Guadalcanal Island.

Heyward returned to Princeton after the war and graduated in February 1948 (earning yet another major “P” letter in track). After graduation, he worked as a geologist for successive companies, doing uranium exploration, and as a consultant for the Atomic Energy Commission. He retired in 1988 after spending 22 years with the Missouri Geological Survey.

Heyward never married, but is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. To his family and to his friends at Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square, where Heyward lived for the past 13 years, the class extends its deepest sympathy.