Jerrold R. Blauw ’55

Jerry, whose life was marked by hard work and an enduring curiosity about the world — he had visited all 50 U.S. states plus the Eastern and Western Caribbean — died Feb. 22, 2025.

He was born Sept. 9, 1933, in Kansas City, Mo., and attended Southwest High School in Kansas City, where he was active in student government, journalism, sports, and the literary society. At Princeton, he joined Elm Club and majored in economics. He participated in freshman and varsity track, was associated with Whig-Clio, and graduated with honors. Senior year he roomed with Doug Gilmore.

After graduation, Jerry worked with the building products division of Boise Cascade Corp., then was vice president, marketing and sales for U.S. Fiber Corp., where he helped build the company into the world’s largest manufacturer of cellulose insulation. When the company was sold in 1992, Jerry retired.

After retirement, Jerry indulged his love for reading the Wall Street Journal every day plus Barron’s, giving him a firm grasp on the stock market right up to just before he died. In addition to finance, Jerry loved just about every genre: nonfiction, politics, autobiographies, mystery, suspense, and gleanings from The New York Times bestsellers list. He loved playing bridge plus an occasional game of golf and tennis and was a lifelong sports fan, especially devoted to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jerry is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Nancy; daughters Elisabeth Dagenhardt and Gail Frances Blauw; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. All will miss his legacy of love, curiosity, and dedication.