James B. Hunter III ’61

Jim Hunter, public servant in his native Arlington, Va., died Jan. 5, 1998, after a struggle with melanoma. He was 58.

A third-generation Princetonian, he majored in economics, enjoyed an occasional game of bridge, and roomed with Al Wheeler, Dimitri Cotomatas, Ted Athanassiades, Harry Pinto, and Vince Peluso. He was a member of Terrace Club.

After Princeton, Jim joined the Marine Corps and saw duty in Vietnam. He retired from the service in 1973 and resettled in Arlington, where he joined a small business and became active in public affairs. He was instrumental in establishing the Arlington Housing Corp., which administered housing for less­advantaged citizens. He was also active in local chapters of the Kiwanis, the YMCA, United Way, and Red Cross. From 1990 until shortly before his death, he served on the Arlington County Board. There, the Washington Post observed in an editorial on his death, he "earned high praise from members of both political parties ... for his compassion and work on behalf of individuals with little access to their government."

Jim is remembered by his classmates, friends, and acquaintances as a gentleman, easy-going and empathetic, who lived life to the fullest. Jim is survived by Patty, his wife of 35 years, his children James, Peter '88, Thongpane, Jessica, and four grandchildren. We join them in mourning his death.