Walt Elsaesser ’46

Walt Elsaesser died Feb. 10, 1999, of bone cancer, after a courageous struggle. He came to Princeton in 1942 from Morristown [N.J.] School, where he was senior prefect and captain of the hockey team and had many other honors. He roomed in Hill Dorm with Fred Main and John and Dave Peacock, who all came from Morristown and all joined Colonial Club.

He served as a pilot in the Army Air Force from Feb. 1943 until July 1946, flying P-40s, B-24s and B-17s. After graduating with an AB in economics in June 1949, he worked for 31 years for Pan American Airways, retiring as division v.p., Atlantic, responsible for ground operations and sales for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India. He later worked with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Intl. Executive Service Corps, with projects in several countries.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; four children, Walter Jr., Thomas, Robert, and Mary; a brother, Jim; a sister, Sylvia; and 13 grandchildren. The class extends its profound sympathy to them as we celebrate the life of this loyal husband, father, friend, natural leader, and athlete, a gentleman who will be greatly missed.

The Class of 1946