Joseph D. Zink ’44

Joe died April 28, 2012, in his son and daughter-in-law’s Northfield, N.J., home.

A native New Jerseyan and son of Homer Zink 1905, Joe graduated from Belleville High School. At Princeton he majored in politics and roomed with John Ware and John Ames. He entered the Air Corps in January 1943 and piloted a B-17 through 30 European missions. After graduating from Rutgers Law School, he practiced law and joined the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1947. In 1951 he was called back to active duty as commander of the 108th Fighter Group in response to the outbreak of the Korean War.

He married Marie Rudolph June 17, 1948. As a National Guard wing commander he averaged 100-150 days away from home annually. Joe flew in the Berlin Airlift and was made a major general in 1972.

After Joe’s retirement, the couple moved to Seabrook Island, S.C., where he bought land and built houses.

A command pilot with more than 5,500 flying hours, Joe received the Distinguished Service Medal, the nation’s highest peacetime award, and the Legion of Merit.

Joe seldom missed a major reunion. Known as Darrell at Princeton, Joe is survived by his wife, Marie; children Jamie, Jeff, and Gary; three grandchildren; and a large extended family that includes two great-nephews.