Thomas V. Van Auken ’57

Tom died June 30, 2025.  

He came to Princeton from Alpine High School in Texas. After his father died, he became the foster son of Warden John Newell ’29. At Princeton, Tom was a waiter in Commons for two years, majored in chemistry, joined Court Club, and worked as a research assistant in the chemistry department. Senior year he roomed with John Bowers and Bill Mather. 

Following graduation Tom earned a Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Illinois and did postdoctoral work at MIT and the University of Texas. In 1966, he married Nancy E. Orton, a librarian, and they had two children, Newell Ann and Thomas. After two years as a teacher at Texas, he began a lifelong career as an industrial organic chemist. He worked for Union Carbide in West Virginia, becoming a project leader, and then completed his career at Philip Morris in Richmond, Va. After retirement he and Nancy moved to the Cedarfield Retirement Community in Henrico, Va.  

Tom was active in Republican politics and is credited with persuading the Virginia Legislature to move the presidential primary to an early date to impact national politics.  

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy; their two children; two grandchildren; foster brother David Newell; and numerous in-laws and nieces and nephews.