James Morrison Colwell ’49

Jim Colwell died Feb. 14, 1999, in Berkeley, Calif., from a virulent lung infection. He was the son of E. Townsend Colwell '21.

Jim prepared at Midland School and came to Princeton in 1946 following Army service in Italy with the 85th Division. He became a devout Catholic, greatly influenced by a visiting professor, Jacques Maritain, a leading French theologian. He majored in psychology and joined Campus Club.

After graduation, he studied philosophy at the Institut Catholique in Paris and earned his PhD in psychology at American U. He returned to his native California and spent his life teaching, counseling, and training younger colleagues at the U. of San Francisco and the Pontifical U. in Rio de Janeiro, and practicing psychology at the San Francisco School District. He loved working with children, even when he retired.

Jim continued to study psychology, the Bible, history, literature, and other cultures. He spoke fluent French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. He and his wife shared a deep commitment to working for peace and social justice wherever they lived -- in the U.S., Latin America, and Europe.

Above all, Jim's dearest interest was his family. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Mary Anna; children Kate, Marian, Teresa, Sheila '79 *92, Stephen '82, Esther, and Anne-Marie; four grandchildren; and his sister, Marian. To them all we extend our deepest sympathy.

The Class of 1949