John Detjens III ’56

John died Dec. 10, 2023, at his home in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Coming to Princeton from Western Reserve Academy in Ohio, he majored in English, joined Ivy Club, and was a devoted member of the crew team that competed at Henley-on-Thames.

After commissioning from the ROTC program, where he had climbed to unit commander, John served on active duty in the Army before attending Yale Law School.

Marrying Stephanie Williams in 1960, he served as an attorney in New York City with Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett; general counsel with Warnaco in Bridgeport, Conn.; and as president of White Stag and partner in Stoel Rives in Portland, Ore., until retirement in 2000.

John was a competitor in all pursuits: academics (his thesis was on Rudyard Kipling), the practice of law, rowing, tennis, and golf. But his competitiveness was tempered by a kindness, peacefulness, and selflessness that all remember. He loved the outdoors and traveled the world with his family camping, hiking, and canoeing.

John is survived by his wife, Stephanie; daughters Karen Detjens and Courtnay and her husband Corey duBrowa; and grandson Tanner.