John C. Pritzlaff ’47

Pritz's life, which ended May 2, 2005, epitomized Princeton in the nation's service.

After World War II service in Europe he returned to Princeton, graduated in 1949, went home to Milwaukee, joined his family's hardware business, and began his active civic life.

In 1951 he married Mary "MD" Dell. In 1958 they moved to Phoenix and an increasingly productive public life for Pritz that can only be summarized here.

His business activities were diverse, interesting, and successful. His dedicated services to the Episcopal Church were reciprocated by the bestowal of significant honors. He engaged in politics (as an active Republican) and was elected to four productive terms in Arizona's House of Representatives and, later, two in its Senate. In 1969 he became our ambassador to Malta. Pritz was also an avid, innovative, and admired conservationist — initiating projects in Arizona and as a national governor of the Nature Conservancy.

Princeton, he told us, inspired his "philosophy of life"— one marked by love of God, country, and nature, and complemented by his humor, civility, fairness, and devotion to MD, their four children and 12 grandchildren. We offer this tribute to them with our warm sympathy.

The Class of 1947