Roy Dickinson Meredith ’71

Rick Meredith died Oct. 22, 1998, at home, of cancer of the lower esophagus only three months after diagnosis. He prepared at Phillips Exeter and was the latest of several generations of his family to graduate from Princeton. Majoring in philosophy, Rick belonged to Colonial Club. He earned a law degree from Catholic U. and a PhD in microbiology from Columbia U., where he was a faculty fellow. His practice focused on chemical, medical, and biotechnology patents. In recent years, he did the patent work for Crixivan, a protease inhibitor which helps prevent replication of the AIDS virus and which now is used by 180,000 people in over 80 countries. Making scholarly contributions in both law and bioethics, Rick was one of the first to pursue the ethical implications of genetic research. He was an active volunteer for several professional and community organizations.

In 1985 he married Harriette Hawkins '73, the director of the New Jersey Historic Trust.

Rick was modest about the brilliance which enabled him to combine the diverse disciplines of law, science, and philosophy. He faced his final illness with remarkable calm, courage, and grace. The class is proud of his life and extends its deepest sympathy to Harriette, his sister Betty, and his brothers Jonathan and Bartlett.

The Class of 1971