John P. Cleaver ’41

We have lost J.P. "Clipper" Cleaver; what a tremendous blow to our class. In many ways, he was the spark that constantly ignited '41. He served us as class president, v.p., secretary, reunion chairman, and entertainment chairman. (Who can forget Princess Papooli!)

Clipper prepared at Mercersberg Academy. In college he was active in swimming, lacrosse, and Princeton-Blairstown Center; he belonged to Charter Club and to that illustrious group, Chez Henri, consisting of Naylor, Joe King, Rounds, Crittenden, Stewart, Hartman, Evans, Arnzen, Cosby, and Dave Davis.

His business career began with the Glenn L. Martin Corp. in Baltimore (where he met Betty). After WWII, he moved to Worcester, Mass., working with the Industrial Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce.

In 1951, Clipper joined Walter V. Clarke Associates, management consultants in Providence, R.I., and in 1956, he moved to Princeton and founded the J.P. Cleaver Co. A pioneer in the field of organizational development, his clients came to range from small companies to industrial giants, both here and abroad.

We will miss one of our warmest, kindest, and most caring classmates. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty, daughters Susan and Mary, son Chester, three granddaughters, and brother William P. '37. The class extends our deepest sympathy to them all.

The Class of 1941