William Scheide ’36

On Nov. 14, 2014, Bill died of natural causes at the age of 100 in his Princeton home.

At Princeton, he majored in history. After earning a master’s degree in music from Columbia, Bill founded the renowned Bach Aria Group. A deep interest in civil-rights issues soon led him to help finance the landmark school-desegregation case of Brown v. Board of Education.

Bill was a devoted Princeton alumnus, class leader, benefactor, and music supporter. Princeton awarded him an honorary doctorate of humanities in 1994 for his accomplishments and service. One of his premier philanthropic contributions to Princeton is the Scheide Library at Firestone, which includes the first four printed editions of the Bible and is one of the world’s most valuable rare-book collections. Bill also supported the Scheide Scholars program, an endowed professorship in music, the reconstruction of the Woolworth Center for Musical Studies, and the Scheide Caldwell House, among many other contributions. The Old Guard reunion events he and his wife, Judy, hosted at their home always will be warmly remembered.

In addition to Judy, Bill is survived by six children and stepchildren as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The class sends deepest condolences to the Scheide family and its thanks for all his service to the class and University.