Karl Dravo Pettit Jr. ’39

Karl died peacefully May 14, 2005, at the University Medical Center in Princeton following a short hospitalization for pneumonia and internal bleeding. His daughter, Helen, with whom he had been living in Lambertville, N.J., reports he had been independent and active with his family until his hospitalization.

During World War II, Karl was a Navy fighter pilot and a pioneering instructor in the Navy Aviators' Night Fighter program. He remained in the Naval Reserve until 1959, when he retired as a lieutenant commander. Following the war, Karl and his wife, Ruth, settled in Princeton, where they raised their family of four.

For his entire career Karl was in the mutual funds business and was an investment counselor. He was sales director for Knickerbocker Fund, president of Future Planning Corp. and regional sales manager for Waddell & Reed until his retirement in 2001. He was an avid golfer, a member of Springdale Golf Club, and, above all, an active Princetonian. The night before his death he was singing Princeton songs.

Predeceased by Ruth, Karl is survived by their four children, Helen, Karl D. III '67, Katherine, and Dorothy; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters. To them, we extend our sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1939