Necrology

Craig LaGrange Pritchard '59

May. 16, 1938-Aug. 31, 2020

When thinking back to his time at Hamilton, Craig LaGrange Pritchard ’59 often turned to memories of music. He sang in the College Choir, remembering in a reunion yearbook, “John Baldwin smiling when he finally got our choir’s sound where he wanted it.” He also helped get the first brass choir going, fondly recalling the experience of “hearing ourselves on tape for the first time.”

Born on May 16, 1938, in Johnson City, N.Y., a son of William Pritchard, Jr., Class of 1924, and the former Marion LaGrange, Pritchard prepared for college at South Kent School. At Hamilton, he took to the stage with the Charlatans and served as president of his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon. He also was active with WHC radio, the Intramural Council, and the social group Nous Onze.

After graduation with a degree in English, he served in the U.S. Navy before working briefly for Macmillan ­Publishers. He then embarked on a career in university administration and fund­raising. Institutions he served included Rensselaer ­Polytechnic Institute, Harvard Medical School, the University of New Hampshire, and Colgate, Drexel, Tufts, and Clark universities.

Pritchard’s career was cut short when he suffered a stroke in 1995, leaving him paralyzed on one side. “He continued to travel and enjoy his life for another 25 years,” a published obituary said, “exhibiting a strength and determination that his family marveled at.”

Although his life path took him to many states, he always called Central New York home and remained loyal to his alma mater. He served in several volunteer roles, including chairing his class’ 30th reunion planning committee.

According to the obituary, Pritchard loved golf, college football, hockey, basketball, singing, and martinis — only with real martini olives, which he kept in his blazer pocket in case the restaurant served “those damned salad olives.”

Pritchard died on Aug. 31, 2020, at age 82. Survivors include two daughters and a son, their mother, the former Barbara McGinnis, and three grandchildren.

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