John Knox Witherspoon Jr. ’50

John died unexpectedly Jan. 16, 2004, in Signal Mountain, Tenn.

At Princeton, John was a member of Elm Club and president of the University Press Club, covering sports for the Philadelphia Inquirer and UPI. He graduated summa cum laude from the SPIA program and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

After graduation he wandered around Europe for several months and was in Rome when he received his induction notice. His Army assignments from 1951-53 included an antiaircraft unit in Korea. He returned to Chattanooga, where he joined the Provident Life & Insurance Co. During his 37 years with the company, he developed and implemented its first managed healthcare business and was president of its property-casualty insurance subsidiary. He retired as a senior vice president in 1990.

His wife Norma said, "He did not miss a beat, opening his own financial consulting business on the Monday following his retirement." She added, "His affection for Princeton never wavered."

John was a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church and deeply committed to his community, serving on a variety of education, social, and health boards.

Our sympathy is with Norma, his wife of 46 years, his six children, 12 grandchildren, and his brother.

The Class of 1950