Simeon F. Moss *49

Simeon F. Moss, a longtime resident and community leader in Princeton, died April 29, 2007. He was 87.

In 1941, Moss graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s in history. He served in the Army from 1942 to 1946, winning a Bronze Star and a Silver Star. In 1949, he earned a master’s in history from Princeton. Called up for the Korean War, he served from 1950 to 1952, remained in the Army Reserve, and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1980.

Starting as a teacher, Moss worked in education throughout his career. He rose to assistant superintendent for the Newark Board of Education and in 1969 became superintendent of the Essex County schools. Retiring in 1975, he became vice president of Essex County College in Newark and also held other executive education positions until full retirement in the mid-1990s. He was a volunteer for many organizations.

Preceded in death by his first wife, Edith, he is survived by his wife, Lois; a daughter, Deborah ’87; a son, Simeon Jr.; and three grandchildren. His brother, Joseph R. Moss ’51, who predeceased him, is believed to be the University’s first regularly admitted African-American to earn a Princeton undergraduate degree. Simeon Moss is believed to be the first regularly admitted African-American to earn a degree from Princeton’s Graduate School.