James Nelson Rosse ’53

Jim, who spent 27 years at Stanford, rising from an assistant professor to vice president and provost, died of a severe respiratory ailment Feb. 16, 2004, in Newport Beach, Calif.

Born in Sidney, Nebr., Nov. 4, 1931, Jim came to Princeton from Omaha North HS and immediately put his musical talents to work. He sang in the freshman Glee Club and choir, and was a member of the Univer-sity band, serving as its librarian, assistant manager, and manager. He was business manager of Whig-Clio and active in the debate panel. Campus roommates were Ned Conquest, Dick Wardrip, and Dick Hobson. Hobson remembers Jim as a good friend and one proud to be from the Midwest.

Jim left Princeton following his junior year and married Bryn Mawr student Janice Grimminger in 1952. He received economics degrees from the U. of Minnesota and started his teaching career there. He moved to Stanford in 1965 and began his academic ascent, first serving as chair of the economics department.

After distinguished service at Stanford, he stepped down and joined Freedom Communications, Inc., a newspaper, radio, and TV enterprise. He wrote in our 45th yearbook that he was having too much fun to retire. Communications had always fascinated him.

Heartfelt sympathy goes to Janice, daughter Anne, and sons James J. and Stuart.

The Class of 1953