James C. Tappan ’57

One of the many successful marketing and financial experts in our class, Jim died Oct. 29, 2022, at his home in Hobe Sound, Fla. 

Son of an Army colonel who expected him to go to West Point, Jim graduated from Culver Military Academy but elected to come to Princeton. He was a member of Elm Club, where he served as vice president and Bicker chairman. He was also a member of the freshman prom committee, the Intercollegiate Culver Club, and the Republican Club. He majored in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and graduated cum laude.

Having received a Naval ROTC scholarship to attend college, after graduation Jim served as an aviator aboard the USS Wasp. There he met Robert Kay, who became a lifelong friend and brother-in-law, as Jim married Robert’s sister, Patricia. He and Patricia were married for 57 years, until she died in 2016. They had three children, Jim Jr., Joe, and Tracy, and six grandchildren, including Jack Cahillane ’22.

After leaving the military, Jim joined Proctor & Gamble, working in Ohio, Mexico, and England, where he became managing director of P&G UK. He was then recruited by General Foods to be managing director for Europe, headquartered in Belgium, followed by a return to the U.S. as group vice president. Leaving General Foods after it was acquired by Philip Morris Co., he formed Tappan Capital Partners, one of the earliest private-equity firms. Serving on many corporate boards of directors, as well as Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Jim nevertheless found time for his lifelong interest in golf, including a directorship of the PGA. 

He is survived by his close friend, Michel Williams, his children, grandchildren, and their spouses.