William Hampton Crom ’44

Bill Crom died Nov. 30, 2009, in Hightstown, N.J., from complications of Parkinson’s disease. A disabled veteran, he never complained about difficulties but retained his good humor, intelligence, and religious faith.  

Born in San Antonio, the son of an Army colonel, Bill graduated at age 15 as valedictorian of the American School in Manila, the Philippines. At Princeton, he was a member of Terrace Club and roomed at various times, singly, in Lockhart, Pyne and ’01 halls. He graduated cum laude in mechanical engineering in 1947 after World War II service in the Army Air Corps.  

After graduate engineering courses at Columbia, he joined Merck & Co. for several years and later worked for New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, retiring in 1994.  

Bill loved playing the piano, composing liturgical music, and singing in the New Jersey Lyric Opera and the Summit (N.J.) Chorale, of which he was president for 10 years. Princeton meant much to him, and he was thrilled to attend our 65th reunion.  

He is buried next to his wife of 59 years, Anne, and survived by their daughters, Nancy Crom, Emily Lyons, and Lucy McNamara, and two grandchildren. We send sympathy to all.