Peter N. Upton ’66

Peter died Nov. 21, 2023.

He came to Princeton from Amherst Central High School in Buffalo, N.Y., where he was captain of the soccer team and ran track. At Princeton, he majored in philosophy, played 150-pound football, belonged to Cannon Club, and worked in the student laundry.

After graduation, Peter enlisted in the Navy. Decorated for his tours of duty as a special services officer in Vietnam, he documented that service in several articles. One of them, a short story titled “Death of the 43,” served as the catalyst for a documentary, Be Good, Smile Pretty, aired on both PBS and 60 Minutes.

Peter’s fellow Navy and Vietnam veteran, former Secretary of State John Kerry, spoke movingly at his memorial service.

After discharge, Peter earned a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University and joined the Navy JAG corps as a judge. Later, he was engaged in private law practice in Hartford. He also pursued his true passion, painting, until his sight failed later in life.

Peter is survived by his two children, Hilary Upton-Walker and Patrick Upton, and his granddaughter, Carmela Walker. The class extends its heartfelt condolences to them all.