Richard Tilghman Nalle Jr. ’42

Richard Tilghman Nalle Jr., a Philadelphia civic leader, died of cancer Jan. 2, 2009, in Bryn Mawr, Pa.

Dick came to Princeton from Chestnut Hill Academy. At college he played on an undefeated 150-pound football team, joined Ivy Club, and graduated with honors in mechanical engineering.

Shortly after graduation, Dick joined the Marine Air Corps. After training in flight operations on aircraft carriers, he saw active duty on South Pacific islands occupied by the Japanese. Dick and his fellow pilots were assigned to bombing and strafing these islands. In January 1946 he was discharged as a captain.

In 1952, Dick married Joan Thayer. For 19 years he worked for Westinghouse Corp. as an engineer. The last 18 years of his business career were with ESB Inc. in Philadelphia, where he was executive vice president. In 1981 he was appointed chairman of the board of the Franklin Institute, which he served for five years. He became chairman of the board of Pennsylvania Hospital in 1990.  

In addition to Joan, Dick is survived by his son, Richard III; his daughters, Jean and Elizabeth; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. To them all, the class sends condolences.