William Van Mater Iszard ’44

Bill, a lover of classical music, died at age 94 in Indianapolis, surrounded by family with classical music playing in the background.

He prepared at Elmira Academy. At Princeton he lived alone in Pyne, graduating in January 1944 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Bill served in the Navy and was assigned to the submarine USS Manta as a first lieutenant in the Pacific theater until the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged in June 1946 and went on to earn a master of letters degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

He met his wife, Phyllis, while working at the Rike-Kumler department store in Ohio. They married in 1950, moved back to Elmira, and in the fall of 1952 Bill joined the S.F. Iszard & Co., a department store founded by his grandfather. He served on the board of Iszard & Co., was chairman of the Community Chest, and was a former president of Arnot-Ogden Hospital and Elmira Country Club. He and Phyllis spent four weeks in Scottsdale, Ariz., every year. He enjoyed golf, bowling, and traveling with his family, making several trips to Europe.

He is survived by Phyllis, his wife of 65 years; younger brother David; sons  Douglas and Charles; and three grandchildren, Charles Jr., Catherine, and Maria.