Robert M. Wohlforth II ’47

Bob died peacefully June 15, 2016, at Moorings Park in Naples, Fla.

Bob was one of the most outstanding members of the Class of 1947 and was largely responsible, along with others, for the rebirth of the class, an achievement to be proud of. He matriculated at Princeton in 1943 after graduating from Princeton High School. Bob’s career at Princeton was interrupted by two years of service in the Army Air Force as a second lieutenant. He returned to Princeton and graduated cum laude in June 1948.

Bob began his life work in the securities business with Hemphill, Noyes & Co., as a municipal bond trader. In the 1970s, he joined Merrill Lynch in New York City. During his years with the firm, he was particularly proud of his contribution to the financing of the New Jersey sports complex in 1974. His last five years with Merrill Lynch were in Princeton, retiring in 1996.

Bob’s contributions to the class were enormous, including service as class president from 1962 to 1967; class reunion chairman from 1992 to 1997, and special gifts solicitor in 2001. The lunches he initiated in New York and Princeton were most successful and sometimes involved speakers from the class.

This very special person is survived by two daughters and a daughter-in-law, Susan Wohlforth; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His only son, Martin, died in the Sept. 11 attacks. His beloved wife, “Chick,” died April 30, 2010.