John Aponick ’57

“His passions led him to happiness,” John’s children said of him. “He loved what he did.” One passion was his legal practice. He specialized in medical malpractice defense, a practice he followed up to two months before his death Jan. 3, 2019, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Representing hundreds of hospitals and doctors across Pennsylvania in suits brought against them, he never lost a verdict. As a result of this and of a joyful, generous nature, he was beloved. He was pleased to share with other lawyers his techniques — not learned in class or by book but by years of argument in court. These consisted basically of simplifying complex legal and medical concepts to present to juries. He also lectured widely across the state.

Other passions included his family and two eclectic hobbies: one, attending Formula 1 and Indy Car races; the other, flying and caring for a two-seater Cessna 150. He flew his children from Wilkes-Barre to Hershey for ice cream cones.

At Princeton, John’s passion was WPRB, where he assumed the broadcast personality “JJ the DJ.” He helped WPRB become the first college commercial FM station. He took his meals at Campus Club and graduated cum laude in economics.

The class extends its condolences to John’s widow, Charie; and children Zoe Metro ’91, John ’93, and Douglas.