John J. Clutz Jr. ’52

John died April 22, 2013, in Wayne, Pa.

John entered Princeton on an NROTC scholarship. He majored in basic engineering and belonged to Dial Lodge. His major extracurricular activity was singing (Glee Club, Octet, and Chapel Choir).

John spent three years in the Navy. In December 1953, taking advantage of six months ashore at submarine school, he married Patricia (“Patty”) Sweet, a Penn graduate, after seven years of courtship. They had no children, but compensated with six dogs. Patty died in 2011.

John worked in manufacturing and corporate management, mostly with the Rohm and Haas Co. based in Philadelphia. He became president of Rohm and Haas Canada and its Latin American industrial-business director. In 1978 he narrowly survived a dissecting aneurysm of the aorta, which forced him into early retirement in 1990.

Jay Sherrerd asked John to direct the 1991 Philadelphia mini-reunion. This led to 15 years as class treasurer, five as vice president, and then John’s election as president at our 60th reunion. He served as treasurer for four major class reunions. He was the longest-serving elected class officer.

John sang for 25 years with a small mixed a cappella group and was active with the Wayne Oratorio Society.

His brother, Richard Clutz ’56, survives him.