Thomas Warren Willard ’29

Tom died Oct. 13, 1996. He prepared for college at the Barnard School for Boys, and at Princeton he roomed with Bill Miller.

A couple of years after graduation Tom embarked upon his life career as a cinematographer. He taught himself photography and in 1932 founded Willard Pictures. He was one of the first to use 16-mm. film commercially, and was also one of the earlier users of color for commercial films. He made more than 300 films for the Navy during the war, including the famous Castaway about survival on a life raft. Through the years he made hundreds of films for educational, training, and documentary projects including some for the Navy, Air Force, NASA, United Fruit, Cunard Line, Greek Tourist Board, and American U. in Beirut.

But we in '29 will be forgiven for thinking first and foremost about Tom's wonderful contributions to the class through his tireless photographing of reunions and other class functions. He belonged to many professional associations, including the American Science Film Assn. and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. He was also a consultant of the American Management Assn.

In 1943 Tom married Mary Ann Prettyman, and she survives, as well as their daughters, Tamsin and Anne. The class extends sincere sympathy to them.

The Class of 1929