Louis Edward Tilden Jr. ’51

ED DIED June 27, 1992, at his home in Evanston, III., apparently of emphysema. His career was largely spent in fund raising for Northwestern Univ., Easter Seats, and the Layton School of Art, in Milwaukee.

A Midwesterner to the core and a son of '221 Ed came to Princeton from Lake Forest Academy. He majored in English and was a member of Cap and Gown, the jazz club, and Triangle. He roomed with Lew Esler, Phil Matter, Phil Hungerford, and Bill Mettler. He served in the Navy From 1945 to 1947.

Ed's great love, however, was jazz, a calling by which few make a living. The music never stopped for Ed. At our 40th reunion he was invited to sit in on drums with the band that Penny and Ted Thomas had at their party. He was not well even then, but his skill and enthusiasm were contagious. As Bill Mettler has written, "He was just a warm, extremely funny person who was happiest when he was playing the drums."

Ed's second wife, Jane, died of cancer in 1985, eight months after their marriage. He lived alone but continued to play with jazz and Dixieland groups.

Ed is survived by his son Peter, his daughter Penny Anne, and his brother Rufus.

The Class mourns the death of one of its most memorable members.

The Class of 1951