Deceased November 28, 2008

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In Memory

Word has been received that Henry C. “Hank” McDonald died on Nov. 28, 2008, at the age of 78. He lived in Naples, Fla. He grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y., and, before Amherst, graduated from the Taft School.

Henry’s wife, Bonnie, died in March of 2010. He is survived by his daughter Heather McDonald, his son Brian McDonald and their children. A memorial service was held on Dec. 2, 2008, in Princeton, N.J. His son Brian, a Princeton graduate, served as vice president for development there. 

Professionally, Henry spent about two decades at Morgan Guaranty Trust Company in the Municipal Bond Department, later worked at Donaldson Lufkin Jenrette and then as a director at the Bituminous Insurance Company in Illinois. He was an avid golfer and traveler. He lived in Scarsdale, N.Y.; Connecticut and then Florida. 

Henry was a member of Psi Upsilon. My principal contact with him at Amherst was playing football together. He starred for the freshman team and, in his junior year, was probably our best running back, averaging five or six yards per carry and gaining a total of 700-900 yards. Unfortunately, in spring practice in his junior year before the 1951 season, he sustained a serious knee injury and could not play in the Fall of 1951—that was one of the principal reasons for the team’s dismal record that year. 

From all reports, Hank was a private person, and so far as I know, he never returned to Amherst for reunions or attended any class events. I remember him as a most pleasant individual, who as a football halfback was both fast and tough and who I am sure had many close friends among his Psi U brothers. 

We express our sincere sympathy to his family.

Jim Lyon ’52