Roger W. Hooker Jr. ’63

Roger, paralyzed seven years ago by a back operation, died Dec. 8, 2015. He bore his adversity with kindness, a sharp mind, and his legendary sense of humor. Among his departing words, with his daughters on either side, were, “I’m in a pulchritude sandwich.”

He majored in English at Princeton, writing his thesis on Conrad. He played soccer for two years, and was secretary of Ivy and president of the 21 Club. His roommates were John Cook, Bill Crow, Peter Frelinghuysen, Duke Sloan, and Arthur Schwartz.

A Columbia Law School graduate, Roger served as deputy secretary to Gov. Nelson Rockefeller and as assistant transportation secretary in the Ford administration. Before returning to private practice, he was general counsel of Grand Met USA and its predecessor, Liggett Group. Roger lived in Palisades, N.Y., and was on the boards of the American Dance Festival, the Rockland Center for the Arts, and the Baryshnikov Arts Center.

 “In college and beyond, Roger was always at the center of the action,” Cook said. “His paella feasts, created artistically with enthusiastic volunteering sous chefs, were delicious and fun. He was a man of the world and the core of his family.”

The class shares its sorrow with Roger’s wife, Joan, who is Cook’s cousin; daughters Kate and Sarah; and brother Henry.