Howard Wellington Stepp ’39

HOWIE, our honorary classmate, coach, mentor, and friend, died on Aug. 30, 1989. He had been in failing health after he suffered a stroke several years ago. Last May, in a ceremony held at his home, he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. He was honored for his contributions to swimming through his 25 years as Princeton's coach, a three-year stint as coach for Poland's Olympic swim team, and a lifetime of involvement with youth. He served for two decades as director of Princeton's summer camp at Blairstown, 17 years as a juvenile court referee in Princeton Borough, and two terms as a New Jersey State Assemblyman in Trenton. During and after WWII he was Princeton's acting director of athletics, and from 1947 until his retirement in 1969 he was registrar at the university. He also chaired or served on key swimming committees for the N.C.A.A., Pan American Games, and the National A.A.U. and was a trustee of Princeton Country Day School, the Hun School, and the Princeton Y.M.C.A. He was an inspiration for all the young people he coached or counseled. His integrity and high standards in studies and sportmanship endure in the lives of those who had the good fortune to be coached and guided by him. We are honored to be among them and we shall miss his merry wit, understanding, frankness, and constant interest in our well-being.

To his widow Dorothy, son Howard, daughter Lee, and six grandchildren, we express our sorrow and extend our heartfelt sympathy.

The Class of 1939