Robert A. Holzl ’44

Bob died Feb. 9, 2006, at the age of 83.

He and his wife, Dianne, were longtime residents of La Canada, Calif., near where Bob was a leading turbo, gas, and rocket-engineering executive and entrepreneur. He was born in New York City and prepped at Montclair (N.J.) Academy. A popular classmate, he majored in chemical engineering, was on our well-rated varsity tennis team, and was secretary of Dial Lodge. His roommates included John Ames, Gil Stout, and Al McCree.

After receiving his degree in 1943, Bob served in the European and Pacific theaters on Navy LST vessels. He earned a master's in mechanical engineering in 1949, and married in 1951. Considered one of the world's leading authorities on high-tech ceramic coatings, he was granted more than 50 patents for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes, and invented one now in wide use.

Bob is survived by Dianne; their sons, Clay and Derek; and daughter Suzanne, to all of whom we extend sincere condolences. In our 60th-reunion directory, Bob wrote that he hoped Princeton's leaders would have as much dedication in conserving "what has been so wonderful about Princeton" as he saw their interest in "growing it." He loved his Princeton experience.

The Class of 1944