Joseph Pepe Papa ’58

Joe died Sept. 1, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. He was 86.

He came to Princeton from Plainfield (N.J.) High School, where he participated in student government, swimming, and the Hi-Y.

At Princeton Joe was an electrical engineer and research assistant to Professor Hans Winterkorn. He was a member of Dial Lodge. Then known as “Pep,” he was full time in the ROTC. 

After graduation he had a regular commission, so he could choose his assignment. He chose Europe and was sent to Bavaria, Germany, with his new wife, Nancy. He was in a front-line unit in the Cold War during the ensuing three years, but they were able to travel in Europe.

When he was discharged, they settled in California. Joe earned a master’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and they built a house in Los Gatos. He worked for five years for Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. on missile-guidance systems and then moved on to a new consulting firm, spending the rest of his career in the computer software industry. 

Joe is survived by Nancy, their daughter Elan, and son Nicholas. The class extends its deepest sympathy to them all.