Richard I. Purnell ’40

"Don't worry about me; I've had a great ride." Those were our class president's last words to his rector before he died Oct. 21, 2003. That phrase became part of the rector's homily to the congregation, which included classmates Harry Dixon, Crawf Madeira, Larry Morris and wife Gus, Larry Mead, Herb Shultz, and Dick Wells.

Dick prepared at the Gilman and Kent schools, following his father, Lyttleton Purnell 1904, and brothers L. B. III '30, J. S. '33, and J. B. '39, to Princeton. He majored in psychology, graduating with honors. He lettered in football, hockey (serving as team captain), and baseball; served as class secretary-treasurer; was vice president of Ivy Club; and received the William B. Blackwell Cup for sportsmanship in hockey.

Dick was a highly decorated pilot and bomber squadron commander in WWII. He joined Johnson and Higgins, eventually becoming president and CEO. Golf, tennis, fishing, and hunting were his loves, but none more than his continuing work and philanthropy on behalf of Princeton.

To his wife, Marguerite Wright Purnell; son Peter; daughter Marguerite; and four grandsons, his classmates extend heartfelt sympathies.

The homily for Dick ended with the following cheer: One Locomotive, Purnell, One Locomotive, Purnell, Rah! Rah! Rah! Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! Sis, Sis, Sis, Boom, Boom, Aaah! Purnell! Purnell! Purnell!

The Class of 1940