William Edgar Linden Jr. ’52

Having survived major back surgery and a near-fatal blood disorder, Bill devoutly hoped to attend our 50th reunion. Many classmates remember his enthusiastic presence. At breakfast the Monday following, attired in his reunion shirt, he suffered a heart attack and died of ventricular fibrillation at Reston Hospital June 5, 2002. His memorial Eucharist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church was attended by classmates Phil Hill, Mike Ely, Jerry Canter, Don Oberdorfer, Quincey Lumsden, George Towner, and Don McDonough. Bill was buried in his reunion jacket.

Bill's experience at Princeton as news director of WPRU and football announcer (including for the 7-0 win over Dartmouth) prepared him for a remarkable career in television. Beginning as stage manager in 1953, he received three citations from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for directing/producing the TV coverage of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo 13,14, and 15 flights; Watergate hearings; the President's resignation; and the Iran-Contra hearings. He also won a Peabody award.

Bill's former wife, Helen, expressed special thanks to Warren McCabe and Barry Loper for their support and care of Bill. He is survived by Helen, son William III, daughter Elizabeth, and Skylar, the granddaughter upon whom he doted. The class extends to them our profound condolences.

The Class of 1952