J. Gordon Upton ’44

Gid died Dec. 23, 2006, in Bedford, N.H., where he and his wife, Barbara (“Rusty”), lived for 20 years. He was 83.

For someone born in New York City, whose career was in advertising and marketing with some of Manhattan’s best agencies, Gid loved the New England outdoors. He prepped at Phillips Academy, Andover, left us to serve as an AAF C-47 overseas pilot, and then returned to Princeton for his bachelor’s in modern languages in 1946. He played freshman soccer and was a member of Cottage Club. His roommates included Kroger Pettengill and Dick Schueler.

Gid married Barbara in 1950. For more than 35 years he commuted from Darien, Conn. After retiring to Bedford, he proudly wrote our secretaries about Rusty winning elections to several terms as a New Hampshire state representative. To Rusty, Gid also was “a best friend with a special sense of humor.” An early National Ski Patrol member, he enjoyed skiing from their home in Weston, Vt., with many classmates, and sailing from a cottage in Point O’Woods, N.Y.

In addition to Rusty, Gid’s survivors include a son, Gordon “Ticker” Upton; a daughter, Souci Rollins; and two grandchildren. Our sincere condolences go to all.