John R. Dykema ’40

John Dykema died June 2, 1995. He was a lifelong Detroit-area resident. John prepared at Hotchkiss, took part in a range of Princeton undergraduate endeavors, and roomed with Jimmy Watkins.

Following WWII as a Navy submarine service officer, and after earning his law degree from the Univ. of Michigan, John practiced for 45 years with the firm Dykema Gossett. High points in his legal and civic career were serving as law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Frank Murphy, as a Michigan Corporation and Securities commissioner, and as a member and president of the trustees of Western Michigan Univ. from 1964-81.

John was highly respected for his professional and civic accomplishments marked by steadfast adherence to high principles and personal loyalty. His wit, compassion, and understanding reached out continually to younger associates. Among personal interests were church, the Detroit Institute of Art, and outdoor and environmental preservation issues.

John is survived by his wife, Rosemary; two sons, John R. and Peter K.; daughter, Mary D. Orazem; and three grandchildren. Our condolences go out to them all.

The Class of 1940

Robert B. Livingston '40

Bob Livingston died Aug. 16, 1994. Bob was born in New Jersey and grew up in the Buffalo, N.Y., area. He prepared at the Nichols School and at Exeter.

At Princeton his roommates were Burr Swezey, Bob West, and Jack Thompson. Bob left Princeton during the winter of his junior year to work for the Buffalo district sales office of the Bethlehem Steel Co., where he remained for 39 years. He retired in 1978. In WWII, Bob served as a captain of field artillery in the Pacific theater.

Over the years, Bob maintained a keen interest in all aspects of life at Princeton. Unfortunately he was unable to attend our 50th reunion for reasons of poor health, but in the 50th yearbook he wrote, "On looking back however, I will always feel being admitted to Princeton was one of the highlights of my life."

Bob leaves his wife, Vera; two daughters, Nancy Basset and Barbara Ann Gardiner; five grandchildren; and brother Dewitt C. '35. To them all, the class offers its deepest sympathies and condolences.

The Class of 1940