Neil D. Chrisman ’58

Neil died May 11, 2023, in Sheffield, Mass. He was 86.

He came to Princeton from Ruston Academy in Havana, Cuba, where he participated in basketball, publications, and dramatics. At Princeton, he majored in economics and rowed crew for four years, being elected captain in senior year. Neil belonged to Ivy Club, the 21 and Right Wing clubs, and was a Chapel deacon. His senior-year roommates were Doug Levick, Steve Rockefeller, Jerry Rigg, Dave Kerr, and Bob Waldron.

After graduation, Neil spent two years in the Navy, and began work at Morgan Guaranty Trust. Earning an MBA from New York University in 1967, he retired as managing director after 32 years. 

In 1968, he married Ulla Axelsson and they had a son, Clayton, in 1972. In 1993, Neil married Kathleen McKeany in Lauenen, Switzerland.

Neil worked in New York but spent much of the year on his small farm in Sheffield. He founded Berkshire Agriculture Ventures in 2010, supported many other local organizations, and was chairman of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

Neil is survived by Kathy and his brother; he was predeceased by Clayton. The class extends its deepest sympathy to them all.