William Van Moore Cleve ’50

Bill died in his hometown, St. Louis, Feb. 28, 2003, of complications from chronic heart disease. Coming from Andover, he majored in economics, then entered Washington U. Law School. Three years later he finished law school, received an Army commission, and married Georgia Dunbar.

In 1958 he joined Bryan Cave as its 13th lawyer, became managing partner in 1973, and chairman in 1988. Bill guided the firm's growth to become Missouri's largest, now with 750 lawyers worldwide.

Bill served Princeton on the Committee to Nominate Alumni Trustees and as president of the Princeton Club of St. Louis. He encouraged Sen. Bill Bradley '65 to attend Princeton and became his lawyer, counselor, and friend.

Bill's church, civic, and board activities were many. He was dedicated to Washington U., serving 18 years on the board of trustees, chairing it for two years, and leading the search for the university's 14th chancellor. The university bestowed an honorary doctorate of laws upon him in 2001.

Our sympathy goes to Bill's wife, Georgia; his four children, Peter '80, Robert '82, Sally '84, Emory '87; brother Robert '54; sister Cornelia; and seven grandchildren.

The Class of 1950