Dr. Jack E. Prince
Dr. Jack E Prince, 92 of Williamstown, WV, passed away March 14, 2013, at Heartland of Marietta, following a nearly three-month illness.
He was born June 15, 1920, to Erman and Ilo (Zirkle) Prince of Columbus, OH. Dr. Prince was a graduate of North High School in Columbus and received BA, MA and PhD degrees from The Ohio State University. He served his country in the 26th Infantry “Yankee” Division during World War II. The Yankee Division was in combat for 210 days and rushed into the Battle of the Bulge, later pushing into Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Dr. Prince taught economics and business administration first at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, then at Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware and at Marietta College for 31 years, retiring in 1985. Shortly after this arrival in Marietta, he took over as director of the then floundering Evening School. During his 15 years as director, Dr. Prince doubled enrollment by emphasizing instruction beneficial to area employers and attracting non-traditional students. He was also the faculty advisor to Student Senate and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. Dr. Prince did not do research or publish. His focus was on his students and advisees, helping them to build their careers and lives after college. His office door and home were always open to students. He was a good listener, but wasn¹t shy about offering advice.
His commitment to students was commemorated when former advisee Eric Dobkin and his college sweetheart and wife, Barbara, donated $2 million to construct the Jack E. and Betty O. Prince Forum as part of the new Marietta Library that opened in 2009. Many of his students became life-long friends. Dr. Prince was an avid reader and woodworker. His first major woodworking project was building a sailing dinghy that turned him into a frustrated Veto Lake and Ohio River sailor. Boy Scout Troop 215 of Williamstown and Camp Kootaga benefited from his skills. He spent many summer days working on projects at Kootaga. Friends and family members treasure his woodworking gifts. His shop became his new job when he retired. He and his beloved partner, Betty, enjoyed several trips to Europe and a cruise around Cape Horn.
He loved Big Band, Swing and jazz music. For years, he hosted “Swing Time” on Sunday nights with his own records on Marietta College’s WCMO radio. Dr. Prince is survived by his sons, Charles (Mary) Prince of Granville, OH and Richard (Shalmah) Prince of Cincinnati; beloved granddaughters, Lauren (Blair) Lucas of Melbourne, Australia and Leslie Prince of Vancouver, British Columbia; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Annabelle Lucas of Melbourne; special friends, Cynthia and Darrell Ting of Marietta, Sam and Cindy Badgley of Williamstown, and Sylvia Miles of Williamstown; loyal caregiver and companion, Lisa Drewry of Marietta; special cousin, Col. Bill Prince of Melbourne, FL; neighbor, Betty Beardsley; nieces and nephews; and a host of former students, advisees and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Betty Chloe in March 2006; his brother, William; sister-in-law, Margaret Prince; and sister-in-law, Nadine Mack and brother-in-law, John Mack.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be scheduled at a later date. McClure-Schafer Lankford Funeral Home is assisting the family and messages of sympathy may be sent at www.lankfordfh.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jack Prince Academic Merit Scholarship, c/o Linda Stroh, Marietta College, 215 Fifth St., Marietta, OH 45750.