John Edward Stratton ’50

JOHN STRATTON died in Bedford, N.H., Jan. 2, 1993, after a brief illness. John and Bobbie had enthusiastically attended several minireunions and were planning to come to Cincinnati in April. The loss of a leg several years ago never slowed him down, and his courage in leading a busy life was evident.

John came to Princeton from Rye (N.Y.) H.S. At Princeton, he was Class president, majored in chemical engineering, was editor of the PRINCETON ENGINEER, and joined Cloister Inn. After graduating, he served with the U.S. Army and then graduated from the Harvard Business School, in 1954, with high distinction.

His distinguished business career in corporate finance and general management started with Eastman Kodak and continued with Booz, Allen & Hamilton; Freeport Sulphur; and 10 years with Bolt, Beranek & Newman as treasurer and executive V.P. Twenty years ago, he shifted careers to emphasize entrepreneurial involvement with Hydroacoustics of Rochester, N.Y., and its sister company, Vinton, which was his creation. At the time of his death, John was also president of H.F. Staples of Merrimack, N.H., which is now owned and managed by his two sons and a partner.

With all the sense of duty, honesty, and personal integrity John brought to his business dealings, his family was always uppermost in his mind. The Class extends its deepest sympathy to Bobbie, daughters Katherine and Pamela, sons James and Thomas, John's mother Ruth, his sister Anne Crocker, and his six grandchildren.

The Class of 1950