Necrology
Robert Nowell Williams, Jr. '52
Feb. 10, 1930-Sep. 2, 2021
Robert Nowell Williams, Jr. ’52 died at his home in Williamsburg, Va., on Sept. 2, 2021. He was born in Milwaukee on Feb. 2, 1930, and came to Hamilton from the Milwaukee Country Day School.
At Hamilton, he majored in biology and history. A member of Chi Psi fraternity, Robert was on the staff of The Hamiltonian from his freshman through his junior years. He was also a member of the Biology Club from his second through final years and joined the International Relations Club as a senior. During his final two years, he was on the lacrosse team. After Chi Psi appointed him scholarship chairman, “he fought a successful battle against declining scholastic averages,” according to his entry in the 1952 edition of The Hamiltonian.
Following graduation, Robert proceeded to the Stanford Graduate School of Business in pursuit of a master’s degree in business administration. In 1953, he enlisted in the Navy Reserve and served for three years on the USS Princeton, part of the Pacific fleet. Discharged with the rank of lieutenant (junior grade), he returned to Stanford and completed his studies in 1957.
Thereafter, he returned to Milwaukee and went to work for the Chain Belt Co. as a marketing specialist. In 1960, he married Sharon Caulfield. Together, they would have three children.
Later, Robert accepted a position as senior corporate analyst at Kollmorgen Corp. in Hartford, Conn. His family first settled in Longmeadow, Mass. While residing there, he was active in the Longmeadow Historical Society. Subsequently, his company relocated to Stamford, Conn., and Robert’s family moved to nearby New Canaan. As his career unfolded, he was eventually promoted to vice president for corporate development. He retired in 1990 and, after living in New Canaan for 12 years, moved with his wife, Sharon, to Williamsburg, Va. in 2002.
Robert was devoted to Hamilton, contributing regularly to the Annual Fund and encouraging classmates to do so as well. Much to his surprise, on the occasion of its 30th reunion, the Class of 1952 won the Wenigmann Cup, awarded to the reunion class with the highest percentage of participation. In this instance, the class achieved 91 percent.
For Robert, one of the most influential Hamilton faculty members was Professor Paul Parker, whose course in art history, as he wrote in his 50th reunion yearbook, “awakened my love for the arts.” Professor Philip V. Rogers introduced him “to the concept of scientific discipline.” Professors Edgar Graves and David Ellis “led me down many paths in history.” From Hamilton, he took knowledge and experiences that “enriched and broadened both my business career and personal life.”
Robert N. Williams, Jr. is survived by his wife, one daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
