James David Loebl ’48

Jim died of cancer at his Ojai, Calif., home Oct. 19, 2003.

Jim loved Princeton and the Class of '48. His wife of 43 years, Dottie, is the daughter of Steven Hirsch '17. Jim and Steve Hirsch each donated a scholarship at Princeton in honor of the other.

Jim was a Chicago native and graduate of New Trier HS in Winnetka, Ill. At Princeton, he was a member of Elm Club and WPRU, rowed crew, and majored in psychology. His earned a law degree in 1952 from Stanford.

His interest in politics was lifelong and included working in the administration of California governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown. He served the Ojai City Council from 1968-96 including four terms as mayor.

Jim's extensive civic involvement also included 10 years on the board of the Ventura County [Calif.] Medical Resource Foundation and a term as president of the Ventura County Bar Assn. He was dedicated to protecting the Ojai Valley from uranium mining and becoming just an LA suburb. An associate categorized Jim as "the only politician I know who can be described as a liberal, moderate conservative."

The class is deprived of a loyal '48er and dedicated Princetonian in the death of Jim. Our heartfelt condolences go to Dottie, son Jeffrey, and daughters Ellen and Susan '84.

The Class of 1948