James Boyd Smith ’45 *47

On Jan. 21, 2012, the class suddenly and unexpectedly lost its peerless Vice President for Everything, J.B., the victim of an accidental fall.

J.B. entered Princeton from St. Paul’s School and joined Key and Seal. He entered a wartime accelerated chemical-engineering program, obtaining his degree in 1944, and then joined the Manhattan Project as a member of the Navy. He returned to Princeton to earn a master’s degree in chemical engineering and marry Betsy Ann Howe.

J.B. started his career with Permutit Corp. but then had a three-decade career with American Cyanamid. After retirement, J.B. continued his active involvement in the community, the University, and the class.

Many of us called him “the commissioner” because he was a member of the Princeton Sewer Commission for two decades and a member of the Princeton school board. Not only did he never miss a Princeton reunion or a P-rade, but he organized many class dinners. J.B. was an invaluable class officer who cannot be replaced, and we thank him for his many years of devoted service to us.

In addition to Betsy, he is survived by his children, Brett, Derek, Lane and Tenbroeck; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The class expresses its sympathy to the family.