Ralph E. Close ’44 *53

Wally died Dec.13, 2005, in Florida.

A scion of two longtime Princeton families, he was born in Lebanon, where his father, Harold Close '10, was a dean at the American University in Beirut. His uncle, Gilbert Close 1903, was personal secretary to Woodrow Wilson, and his maternal grandfather and three uncles were also Princetonians.

Wally prepared at Deerfield Academy, starring scholastically and in soccer. At Princeton, he majored in chemical engineering, was a member of Cap and Gown, won second-team All-American honors in soccer, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. His roommates in Blair Arch senior year were Dick Sly, John Morris, Wally Johnson, and Jack Van Ness. Other friends included Kelly Bates and Ned Rendall.

Wally graduated in 1943, served as a submarine officer in the Pacific, and returned to Princeton for a master's and doctorate in chemical engineering. He lived in Moorestown, N.J., while working for DuPont, and in Jacksonville, Fla., while with Glidden Corp.

A first marriage to the former Mary Spencer ended in divorce, and Wally later married Ann Morrow. Survivors include Ann; sons David, Peter, Ralph Jr., and Charles; daughter Julie Kenyon; his brothers, Art '46 and Ray '51; two stepsons; a stepdaughter; and 10 grandchildren. We share his loss with all.

The Class of 1944