James E. LeGere ’63

Jim died Feb. 17, 2019, of lung-disease complications in Asheville, N.C. He and his wife, Martha, natives of the Chicago area, retired in 2000 to a lakeside home in Connestee Falls, N.C.

Upbeat, outgoing, and always with a welcoming smile, he came to Princeton from Oak Park, Ill., majored in economics, ate at Tower, was an Orange Key Keyceptor, played goalie on the freshman lacrosse team, and roomed with Andretta, Carroll, Pete Henderson, Steve Keller, David Lee, Mullen, and Verrill. He earned an MBA at the University of Chicago, married Martha in 1968, and lived many years in Hinsdale, Ill. He joined Quaker Oats upon graduation and worked there 37 years with increasing responsibilities until retiring as vice president of information services.

Jim and Martha became “on fire for the church” as he often said, and spent much time spreading the gospel in local churches and overseas. In North Carolina he served outreach and mission ministries, worked on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sang in a chorale and a folk group, and continued his outdoor activities: hiking, kayaking, tennis, pickleball, and biking.

Jim is survived by his wife of 51 years, Martha; son Scott and wife Kelly; granddaughter Lena; and niece Cathi Sanders. The class sends condolences to them all.