Peter G. McAllen ’72

Peter was raised in Glencoe, Ill., and joined our class from New Trier East High School. He was preceded at Princeton by his father, William McAllen ’34. Peter majored in philosophy. As a member of Wilson College, he roomed with Duncan Grant, Tom Reepmeyer, Terry Unterman, Robert Van Arsdale, Bill Wilcox, and Andy Wilson, all of whom enjoyed his wry wit, his sardonic view of the world, and his dedication to debating profound and irresolvable issues deep into the night.

After six years of philosophy graduate studies at UCLA, he enrolled in UCLA’s law school. His most important achievement at UCLA was meeting his future wife, Maureen Morgan. They married in 1978 and had one daughter, Megan McAllen ’07.

Peter’s legal career included a year as a law clerk to a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals judge; two years in commercial litigation in Chicago; teaching law at Southern Illinois University and at Southwestern Law School; and antitrust and class-action litigation at two Los Angeles firms. He retired in 2014.

Facing a range of health issues in his later years, Peter reacted with strength and characteristic humor. He died Aug. 10, 2025. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. The class sends its heartfelt condolences to Maureen and Megan.