Joseph D. Coughlan ’55

Joseph, the son of Linda Noble Coughlan and Col. Joseph Coughlan, was born in Washington, D.C., Sept. 24, 1934, and, after a long and varied life, died in San Francisco, Aug. 28, 2014.

His early life was in Honolulu, and then in New York state, where he prepared for Princeton at Darrow School. Joseph’s major at Princeton was history. A Dial Lodge member, he belonged to the pre-law society and roomed with Carl Buchman.

Joseph joined the Navy after graduation, traveled to Asia, remained in the Navy Reserve, and retired as a commander in the JAG Corps. In 1960, he married Erika Pieck, worked at the Pentagon, and attended Georgetown Law School at night.

The majority of his legal career was with Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and United Technologies. He retired as vice president of UT Financial Services. Joseph enjoyed swimming in the ocean and running marathons; he ran the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving many times. He was a loyal aficionado of “Dem Bums,” maintaining his allegiance even after moving to San Francisco. An Elvis fan, he often played his Christmas album during the holidays.

Joseph is survived by Erika; their children, Heather, Jay, and Tom; and seven grandchildren.