William H. Fineshriber Jr. ’31

In the broad world of entertainment, Bill Fineshriber was unusually accomplished. Born in Davenport, Iowa, on Nov. 4, 1909, he died on Nov. 6, 1999.

He prepared at Central H.S. in Memphis and Germantown and West Philadelphia H.S. in Philadelphia, and continued a distinguished career at Princeton, where he was an honor student all four years. He was also a member of the tennis, wrestling, Cane Spree, and squash teams, advertising manager of the Nassau Lit., editorial board member of the Princetonian; member of the banjo club, student manager of Jewish Services, and a member of Clio Hall.

In 1932, shortly after graduating, he journeyed to Paris to study at the Sorbonne, where he wrote an interesting book, Stendhal, the Romantic Realist, published by Princeton U. Press. He commenced his entertainment career in 1931 with CBS, and after many and varying positions became a v.p. and general manager of networks until 1949. From there he went with Mutual Broadcasting System for a short period and ended up in 1953 as v.p. and general manager of networks. In 1956 he became v.p. of Television Programs of America, and switched to the distribution of motion pictures with Screen Gems. He also managed Carnegie Hall. Bill was on the board of the National Assn. of Radio and Television Broadcasters and the Radio Assn. of Broadcasters, and was v.p. of Radio Pioneers. His social activities included membership in the Princeton Club of New York, the Rockefeller Luncheon Club, Les Ambassadeurs of London, and Epicures of Brussels.

Bill is survived by his wife Ruth Moskin-Fineshriber. two children, stepson Jeffrey Moskin, and two grandchildren. The class extends its warmest sympathy to the entire family.