Vernon E. Close ’61

Vern suffered cardiac arrest July 19, 2012, and could not be revived.

Born in Collbran, Colo., he came to Princeton from Grand Junction High School. At Princeton he majored in English, wrestled, was active in IAA sports, and was president of Elm Club. His senior-year roommates were Gard Heidrick and Bob Fuller.

Following Princeton he worked at Bankers Trust in New York City while earning an M.B.A. at New York University at night. Wishing to return to the West Coast, Vern joined Security Pacific National Bank in Los Angeles and then in San Francisco. He and Judy were married in 1978. Following a two-year tour in London with the bank’s International Banking Group, he returned to Los Angeles after Bank of America had acquired Security. He retired in 2000 after 30 years in banking, joined a consulting firm, and became engaged in nonprofit work. A loyal classmate, Vern was assistant treasurer of our 50th-reunion committee.

Vern is survived by Judy; his brother, Carl, and his wife, Martha; and their children.