Seth D. Montgomery ’59

Seth Montgomery, former chief justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, died Sept. 18, 1998, after a 27-year struggle with multiple sclerosis. A leader and a scholar, Seth was loved and admired for his kindness, his brilliance, his extraordinary comic talent, and his service to others.

Arriving in Princeton from his native Santa Fe, Seth's amazing versatility was evident from the outset. He served on the Freshman Council, turned in three years of virtuoso Triangle performances, and earned a magna cum laude degree in philosophy. A member of Campus Club, Seth served as its v.p. and bicker chairman. Following graduation, Seth saw duty as a Navy line officer for three years before entering Stanford Law School, where he became editor-in-chief of the Stanford Law Review and graduated second in his class.

Seth's talents as a lawyer were recognized by his election to both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. In 1989, he was appointed to the New Mexico Supreme Court, and in 1994 was elevated to chief justice.

Seth is survived by his wife, Peggy, three sons, Andrew '83, Charles '86, and David, three grandchildren, and two brothers. The class offers its deepest sympathy to them all. We have lost one of our best.

The Class of 1959