Philip H. Dorn ’52

AFTER AN EVENING at the ballet on June 8, 1993, Philip Henry Dorn died suddenly in the taxi taking him home. His best friend and beloved wife of 38 years, Sue, was at his side.

Phil was a pioneer and an elder statesman in information management. Professional tributes came from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K., where he consulted for 20 years. His writing raised the level of clarity in a field where he was more concerned with his cus­tomers' welfare than with new technology.

A politics major at Princeton, Philip began Stanford Law School, but during a tour with the army from 1952-55, he decided the law was not for him. “I reached a fork in the road at a highly liquid party,” he said, after which he took, and killed, aptitude tests for an air-force-sponsored think-tank, System Development Corp. A brilliant student, he joined the faculty and moved through tours with General Motors, Union Carbide, and Equitable Life before starting his consulting firm.

The consummate New Yorker, Phil loved music, ballet, and the Rangers with equal fervor; he delighted in sharing his favorite wine and cuisine with visiting colleagues. Phil is survived by Sue; two children Charles and Martha; and two grandchildren. We extend to them our profound sympathies.