Rowan A. Williams ’44

Rowan Williams died Mar. 5, 1999, of heart and renal failure after a lengthy illness. He was 79. Following graduation from Asheville [N.C.] School for Boys, he enlisted in the Army, served in England, North Africa, and Italy, and received a Bronze Star for valor.

Captain Williams entered Princeton with '44, majored in history, belonged to Cloister Inn, and was active in Theatre Intime. He graduated magna cum laude in 1948, then attended the U. of Pennsylvania Graduate School, where he earned his master's and doctorate in history. He remained in the reserve and attained the rank of colonel.

Rowan taught for 30 years as an associate professor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy, and during that time also taught at John Hopkins U. Evening School and the U. of Maryland. After retirement he guided hosts of visitors to Annapolis through the historic district; he finally retired in 1991. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and active in community organizations.

He is survived by Nancy, his wife of 50 years; six daughters, Susan Houston, Kate Demeter, Amy Shirley, Megan Riley, Molly Bartlett, and Brigid Bruno; and 10 grandchildren, to all of whom the class extends its sympathy.

The Class of 1944