Lawrence L. Anderson Jr. ’52

Larry died April 20, 2008, in Hilton Head, S.C. He was born in Mexico and raised there and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Larry graduated from Kent School, where he wrestled, played football, and rowed. Among the close friends whom he joined at Princeton were John Geer and Bill Service. He majored in history, was a member of Cottage Club, and played rugby. His roommates included Bill Murdoch, Cam Thompson, Walter Craigie, Ben Rice, Fritz Riegel, and Walter Griffith.

Larry served as a Marine platoon leader in Korea and as a company commander training Marines for overseas duty. Following his service he earned master’s degrees in history from Yale and Columbia and, via night school, an M.B.A. from NYU. During his varied business career, Larry was a turnaround specialist, leading five companies in consumer goods and industrial products.  

A man of high principles and strong opinions, Larry was a devoted family man. He is survived by Lee, his beloved wife of 49 years; his sons, Andy, Ned (who served as a Special Forces chaplain in Afghanistan), and Toby (who served two tours in Iraq); his daughters, Stella-Lee and Hope ’86; his sister, Joan Turnure; and five grandchildren. The class extends deepest sympathy to them all.