Wells Atherton Hobler ’41

On Oct. 30, 2003, we lost Wells from a dissection of the aorta following heart bypass surgery.

He came to Princeton via Bronxville [N.Y.] HS and the Hill School. An architecture major, he played football, completed the CAA Pilot Training course, and was a member of the track team and Cap and Gown. The first two years he roomed with Harold Scott, and the last two with Scott and Fred Walker.

Enlisting in the Army Air Corps after graduation, Wells spent the war as a flying instructor at West Point, retiring as a major in 1945. He then joined Benton & Bowles, an advertising firm cofounded by his father. In 1952 he moved to St. Louis to work for Gardner Advertising. In 1955 he married Jean Maritz, and in the '70s, Wells joined Maritz, Inc., becoming a vice president.

In 2001, after his retirement, his youngest son, Christopher, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. Since then, Wells, Jean, and their children have devoted themselves to promoting ALS Hope/The Chris Hobler and James Maritz Foundation, which provides medical research and raises ALS awareness.

Wells was class president from 1953-55 and vice president 1998-2003.

In addition to Jean and Christopher, Wells is survived by sons Edward and Peter; daughters Linnard and Leigh Hobler Gerard; six grandchildren, and brothers Edward '39 and Herbert '44. We shall miss this lovely man.

The Class of 1941