John M. Matsen ’57

John died June 9, 2025, at Morristown Medical Center near his home at the Fellowship Village retirement community in Basking Ridge, N.J.

A native of Wisconsin, John graduated from Exeter Academy. At Princeton, he majored in chemical engineering and was a member of Prospect Club. He won his numerals as manager of the Princeton baseball team and was also an IAA dorm manager, a member of Whig-Clio, and a clarinetist in the Triangle Club orchestra and the University Band, winning the Osborne Cup in 1957 for service to the band. His senior year roommate was Joel Davis.

John earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. at Columbia and was an instructor in the chemical engineering department. After he received his doctorate, he became a researcher at Esso (now Exxon), becoming an expert in fluidization. He published many scientific papers and held many patents. In 1971, he married Sandra Schwartz, a graduate of the University of Washington.

John was an active member of the Rolls Royce and Bentley Car Club, an officer in the Hunterdon County, N.J., Historical Society, and he served on various Township of Clinton government boards, including a stint as acting mayor. He and Sandy also spent many hours sailing out of the Perth Amboy Yacht Club.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandy, and brothers David and James and their families.