Thomas Patton Baird ’45 *50

WHEN TOM BAIRD died of a sudden heart attack in Hartford, Conn., Mar. 28, 1990, the Class lost a member whose abilities, like his friendships, covered an exceptionally wide range.

Tom came to Princeton from Omaha. From V12 he entered Naval service in the Pacific. After the war, he returned to Princeton to graduate as a history major. After a year in France, he returned again to Princeton to receive his M.F.A. degree from the Dept. of Art and Archaeology and teach in that dept. for several years. Tom was connected with the Frick Collection in N.Y., die Natl. Gallery of Art, Dumbarton Oaks, as associate director. in 1970 he joined the Dept. of Art History at Trinity College, Hartford, where he remained until retirement in 1989.

Meanwhile, Tom turned to writing fiction, Beginning with TRIUMPHAL ENTRY, he published ten novels, the best known being LOSING PEOPLE and VILLA APHRODITE. He also published four novels for young adults.

Tom was a genial and witty persona civilized bachelor who loved dogs, hiking, music, and good food and wine to accompany conversation with his many friends.

Tom is survived by his sister, Mrs. Truman Morsman, to whom the Class extends its heartfelt sympathy.

The Class of 1945