James T. Gearhart ’39 *40

Jim died June 25, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was 99.

He was born in Shamokin, Pa., and he worked his entire career (minus one year) for Bethlehem Steel, a little more than 80 miles away. He started in 1940, after receiving his second engineering degree from Princeton. He began in sales and retired in 1982 as a vice president.

During World War II, Jim served in the Navy as a Seabee, building infrastructure on the islands of Guadalcanal and Kodiak, Alaska. After the war, he became a lifetime member of the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation.

Jim served Princeton as a member of the advisory council of the civil engineering department. He was a faithful participant at Reunions and an avid reader of the Princeton Alumni Weekly. He authored several promotional and technical booklets for Bethlehem Steel and he was the commentator “and an actor” in the industrial film Bargain in Steel. We await its appearance on YouTube!

His wife of 59 years, Evelyn, predeceased him in 2001. Jim is survived by his two daughters and their families. To them and to his extended family and friends, the class extends its sympathy and expresses its gratitude for this loyal alumnus.