John Frenzel Cline ’39

John died in his sleep July 24, 2004, at White Plains [N.Y.] Hospital, following a bad fall July 21.

John had lived in nearby Scarsdale ever since his family settled there in 1925. He enlisted in the Navy in 1940 and was an ensign aboard the heavy cruiser USS Portland near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. Thereafter, he survived seven battles including the Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal, among others. He then took flight training and received his wings in 1944. Appointed a commander in 1953, he remained in the Naval Reserve until 1977.

His entire business career was devoted to his father's advertising agency in Scarsdale. He was a charter member of the Advertising Club of Westchester and a longtime member of the Scarsdale Congregational Church, Scarsdale Golf Club, and Shenorock Shore Club in Rye.

John met his wife, Persis-Jane Peeples, on a blind date in Dallas and they married in 1947. P.J. and John were ardent '39ers, joining most class trips and, happily, getting to our 65th this year. To our friend P.J., as well as daughter Margo and son Ted, we offer our sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1939