Richard J. Valentzas ’51

Dick was born Dec. 14, 1927, in New York City to George and Madelyn Beaton Valentzas.

Dick came to Princeton on the GI Bill after service in the Army, majored in economics, and belonged to Tiger Inn. He roomed with Frank Benenati, Jake McCandless, and Dick Simmons. He was recruited to play football alongside Heisman Trophy winner Dick Kazmaier and was a member of the nationally ranked and undefeated 1950 Tigers football team.

World traveler, gifted story teller, and bon vivant, he toured much of Europe after graduation and continued his travels to Yugoslavia, Poland, Russia, India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Japan.

He met his wife, Audrey Soderblom, in Munich; they were married in 1959. Dick had a long and successful career in sales and attended the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in 1973. In the early years he and Audrey lived in Darien, Conn., where they raised their family. Dick retired in 1988 and in the end they settled in Mill Valley, Calif.

Dick died Nov. 16, 2015, and is survived by his wife; their children Paget Valentzas, Michele Valentzas, Erik, and Jason; and Jason’s son Jake. His brother Robert and sister Pamela predeceased him.