William M. Swain Jr. ’62

Bill died unexpectedly March 30, 2020. He came to us from Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, where he was class valedictorian.

At Princeton Bill was the captain in charge of all the dining halls and captain of the rugby team. After a postgraduate year in London studying advanced economics he returned to Philadelphia, where he continued to play rugby until stopped by a broken jaw and a broken ankle. Wisely, he substituted golf and tennis.

Bill was a founder of Linpro, a real-estate development firm, causing him to move back to Princeton with his wife, Linda, the love of his life. As a devoted member of our class, he became active in many University and class activities, becoming president of the class at our 35th reunion. His extensive charitable interests included Princeton University; the arts, including McCarter Theatre; and the environment.

Linda and Bill traveled the world extensively. For the past several years they had a winter home in Palm Desert, Calif., and they recently moved from Princeton to Austin, Texas, to be near family.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Erik ’93, Ellie, and Nicole; and five grandchildren. The class extends its condolences to them all.