Walter Frederick Thomas ’34

Walt Thomas, a member of Princeton’s 1934 intercollegiate champion indoor polo team who went on to become vice president and secretary of the Valley Bank of Long Island, part of the Bank of New York holding company, died Dec. 25, 2006, of pneumonia in Barrington, Ill. He was 94.

Since 1998 he lived at Friendship Village in Schaumburg, Ill., northwest of Chicago. His wife, Edith Clark, died there in 1999, and after her death he continued making daily visits to the health-care wing, shaking hands and speaking with all the residents. He also entertained them by playing the piano several times a week. He was honored both within Friendship Village and in Schaumburg for his volunteer work.

During World War II he served with the 13th Armored Division in France, Germany, and Austria, separating in 1945 as a major.

In 1977, Walt, retired and living in Hartland, Vt., hosted our mini-reunion at the time of the Princeton football game at Dartmouth, winning praise from the 60 attendees.

Surviving are Walt’s two daughters, Margot and Pamela; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.