John C. Richards ’42

Jack graduated first in his class at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, N.Y. At Princeton he majored in chemistry, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year, and graduated with high honors. He roomed with Smoky Williams and Forest Eggleston and joined Court Club.  

After graduation, Jack did chemical research, first for the National Defense Research Council and then for DuPont. He took a leave of absence from DuPont and earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois. He then returned to DuPont and was active in the development of such well-known products as Orlon, Dacron, and Mylar.  

Throughout his life, Jack was involved as a lay leader in the Episcopal Church. He was senior warden in St. David’s Church in Wilmington, Del., and head of the building committee.  

Jack married Mary Leone Fallon in 1943. She and Jack founded a devoted family, which, along with his career and church service, made up the core of his life. Mary died in January. Jack is survived by daughters Bobbie and Jean; sons Jim, Dave, and Paul; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. To them all, the class sends its condolences.