Samuel Richmond Dorrance ’41

Sam died June 22, 1997, while caught in a squall on Long Island Sound. His wife, Frances, who was on the boat with him, survived. They lived in Noroton, Conn., on land along Good Wives River that Sam's maternal ancestors had farmed since colonial days.

Prepping at St. Mark's, he was on the track team, and joined Colonial. As a navigator-bombardier in North Africa, his plane was shot down. Captured by Rommell's Afrika Korps, he escaped, almost making it to Allied lines before being retaken and flown to a stalag where inmates included a number of famous Tigers, such as Nicholas Katzenbach '43. Both went on to Yale Law.

After clerking in NYC, Sam joined a New Canaan firm, which became Hawthorne, Ackerly & Dorrance; he practiced there until his death. Never one to shy from unsalaried civic duty, Sam chaired Darien's Z.B.A., then its planning commission. He was on Princeton's advisory council to the philosophy department, and was Noroton Yacht Club's secretary for 32 years. His passion was racing sailboats, and he once crossed the Atlantic on Richard Nye's Carina.

Other survivors are sons from an early marriage, Sam Jr., Thomas G., and David W., and seven stepchildren. Ironically, his second wife, Barbara B. Cobb, died of a coronary while she and Sam were sailing out to start a club day-race. It is somehow fitting that this exceptionally cultured gentleman died on the salt water he loved so much.

The Class of 1941

PAUL LUKENS MILLER '41

Paul died July 26, 1997, of heart failure following surgery to remove a blood clot.

At college Paul was a three-year member of the polo team, earned a pilot's license, joined Ivy, and graduated with high honors in psychology. He then was commissioned from ROTC. Posted to Fort Bragg, he was on the board which developed new field artillery weapons. Paul went on to campaign in North Africa, Italy, and Germany, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart before retiring as a major.

Back in Manhattan he joined First Boston Corporation. Starting in its training program, he advanced through the investment banking department to become president in 1964, and developed strong business relationships with many industrial companies. Paul was a director of Alcoa, Celanese Corp., Cummins Engine, Ogilvy & Mather, Pullman Co., and Seamen's Bank for Savings. Retiring in 1978, he continued as full-time senior adviser through much of the 1990s.

Paul was a trustee of several schools and charitable institutions, and was a key working participant in '41's recent major reunion record Annual Giving campaigns. To Adele and their daughters Hilary, Leslie Gulielmetti, and Beverly Orthwein, we extend our deepest sympathies for their and our loss of a distinguished and respected gentleman.

The Class of 1941