Mortimer Stafford Thompson ’46

Staff Thompson died Jan. 21, 1995, collapsing suddenly of a heart attack while dancing with his beloved wife, Donna. Staff joined the class in 1942, the first Princetonian to come from Matawan [N.J] H.S. Captaining the 1944 football team, Staff went on to serve with the Navy on landing craft in the Pacific.

Graduating as a chemical engineer in 1947, Staff began a long and distinguished career in the plastics field, moving ahead in a number of leading American companies. His particular specialty was the development of tamper-proof closures, designed to be child-proof and senior-friendly at the same time.

Most recently, Staff had formed his own venture capital company with the objective of marketing his many ingenious inventions.

Always an enthusiastic Princetonian, Staff served on our ' 46 Regional Council and contributed to the planning of our 50th. More than that, his friendship meant a great deal to classmates, one of whom noted his "impact on everyone he touched with his gentle, sweet, forgiving nature." His marriage to Donna in 1989 brought him, as he wrote for our yearbook, "much joy and support."

To Donna and to his daughters, Christine Helms and Sandy Thompson, as well as to his grandchildren, step-children, and their children, we send our deepest sympathy. Our class has lost one of its finest representatives.

The Class of 1946