William Alexander Volckhausen ’59

Bill, distinguished banker, lawyer, and law professor, died of Parkinson's disease on Sept. 10, 2001, in NYC.

Bill majored in English, minored in Chinese, and dined at Campus Club. He rowed 150-pound crew; worked at Princeton Summer Camp; and served as a chapel deacon, vice president of the Student Christian Assn., and on the Westminster Foundation Council.

Teaching English at Tung Hai U. in Taiwan from 1959-61, Bill reopened the Princeton-in-Asia program, suspended since WWII. He earned a master's in Chinese history at Berkeley and a law degree from Harvard, then served with the Asia Foundation and the NYC legal services program. In 1973 he became deputy superintendent and general counsel for the New York State banking department. In 1980 he joined the Dime Savings Bank, becoming executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary, all while serving as adjunct professor at Cardozo Law School.

Bill loved Princeton, New York, theater, and the Yankees. He served numerous Princeton, bar association, and civic organizations. His gallant battle against his disease epitomized the discipline and courage that marked his life. To his wife, Grace, and his children, Sharon '91 and Alex '93, the class extends its deep sympathies.

The Class of 1959