Thomas Austin Finch III ’72

Austin died March 3, 2015, in Sapphire Valley, N.C.

A native of Thomasville, N.C., Austin came to Princeton from Woodberry Forest School, as had his father, Thomas A. Finch Jr. ’44.

He was a member of Cap and Gown and spent many evenings there mastering the finer points of billiards, backgammon, and friendship. His Princeton roommates included Jon Buchan, Wink Cline, Jesse Davidson, and Wilson McWilliams. He graduated magna cum laude in economics.

After earning an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, he joined Kidder Peabody and Co. in New York City as an investment banker. His keen business mind later led him to Salomon Brothers, where he became a partner and vice president. After retirement, he lived in New York City for many years before dividing his time between Sea Island, Ga., and Sapphire Valley. He enjoyed sailing, scuba diving, foreign travel, and the intricacies of baseball statistics.

He is survived by his wife, Jill Meredith Finch; his mother, Meredith Person Michener; brothers John Lambeth Finch, David Slane Finch, and Sumner Slane Finch; and his sister, Meredith Kempton Finch.