Michael J. Malvern ’78

Mike died April 6, 2011, after a courageous 27-year struggle with multiple sclerosis.

He came to Princeton from St. Louis Country Day School and lived in Holder Hall freshman year with roommates Victor Danett, Joe Lee, and Buck Ralston. A ham radio operator, voracious reader, and linguist — he spoke Russian and German, and taught himself passable Spanish and French — Mike radiated intellectual curiosity.

Beset by fatigue and failing eyesight, Mike had to leave Princeton during his sophomore year. He worked as a computer programmer, first in Germany for Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm’s aircraft division, and subsequently in St. Louis for McDonnell Aircraft. As his symptoms worsened, Mike took an active role in the Gateway Area chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, running a talk group for people living with the disease as well as helping to fundraise. For fundraising marathons, Mike drew on his boyhood passion and set up ham radios at communication checkpoints. His efforts on behalf of MS sufferers became the defining theme of his later years.

The only child of the late Donald Malvern, Mike is survived by his gracious and stoic mother, Ruth Vogler Malvern. The class sends deepest sympathy to Ruth for her loss.