Ralph L. Stanley ’74

Ralph "Steamer" died of melanoma on Apr. 2, 2001. He faced a harrowing illness with bravery and his incomparable wit and humor. Ralph was from Tenafly, N.J., and came to Princeton from Exeter. At Princeton Ralph played varsity baseball, was a member of Cap and Gown, and majored in English literature. He went on to graduate from Georgetown U. Law School. In 1981 he joined the U.S. Transportation Dept. and served as chief of staff to secretaries Drew Lewis and Elizabeth Dole. In 1983 Ralph was appointed to head the U.S. Urban Mass Transportation Administration. In 1992 Ralph joined Bechtel, and later worked on the expansion of the Portland, Oreg., light-rail system and the economic development of the surrounding land. Stanley Park in Portland is named in honor of his work.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Beverly, his mother, Barbara Stanley Guillot, and his brother, Rick. Anyone who knew Ralph was captivated by his sparkle and wit. Donations in Ralph's honor can be sent to the Ralph L. Stanley Memorial Fund, Office of the Recording Secretary, Princeton University, PO Box 140, Princeton, NJ 08544.

The Class of 1974