William P. Trotter ’70

Our friend Bill died Aug. 25, 2024, after serving for decades in his own private artistic purgatory.

Growing up the son of a dean at Virginia Theological Seminary, his creative talents were apparent early and encouraged; before he came to Princeton from St. Stephen’s School, he had executed many fine oils and especially watercolors. This led him directly to his dedicated study with us in the School of Architecture. He was a member of Cap & Gown.

In 1972, his vivid potential was dealt a fierce blow. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, he moved to Kansas, where he struggled with his own mind for many years. He continued output of architectural and artistic works, but they were limited and an echo of his prior catalog. He never ceased working hard at his own challenges, with deep attachments to his family, faith, and to Princeton. Always happy to see a friend in out-of-the-way Topeka, he even mounted a trip to Reunions in 2010 with a caregiver, where his presence enriched us all.

Bill is survived by his siblings Thomas and Bonnie. It is hard to find words for them that can express feelings for their loss, longstanding and immediate, or for our own inadequacies in the face of the fates.