Robert Purviance Hazlehurst

1919 - 2018
Robert ("Bob") Purviance Hazlehurst, Jr. died on July 2, 2018. Bob's parents were Lottie Lee (Nicholls) Hazlehurst and Robert Purviance Hazlehurst. Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on January 7, 1919, Bob spent most of his life in New Jersey, as a child in Spotswood and as an adult primarily in Short Hills. He is survived by his three daughters from his first marriage to Mary Kierulff, who predeceased him, Ellen (Courtney), Charlotte (Leonesio), and Anne (Goldberg), as well as three sons-in-law, six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by Jean Deemer and Elsie (Westlake), the daughters of his second wife, Dorothy "Kick" Wilson Deemer, who predeceased him. Bob had two younger brothers, Franklin Hamilton Hazlehurst of Nashville, Tennessee, and George Nicholls Hazlehurst (deceased).

After graduation from The Hill School, Bob attended Princeton University (Class of 1940), where he was editor-in-chief of the Daily Princetonian. His subsequent studies at Yale Law School were interrupted by the Second World War, during which he served to captain as a navigator in the United States Army Air Force, stationed mostly in Panama (1942-1945). Upon later completing his degree at Yale Law School and joining the New Jersey Bar in 1947, he began the practice of corporate law at the firm of Pitney, Hardin & Kipp, where he made partner in 1952. He retired from Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch in 1989.

Bob was a devoted Princeton tiger throughout his life. In addition to attendance at most reunions, he served on the board of directors of the Princeton Fund (1966-1971) and as chairman of the annual giving campaign (1967-1968). Princeton was long in Bob's family. His father's cousin, Andrew Hazlehurst, was Class of 1904, and his father and both brothers also graduated from Princeton.

In addition to his contributions to Princeton, Bob served as a trustee in several organizations, including the Greater Newark Hospital Development Fund, United Hospitals Newark, Kent Place School, and the Silver Hill Foundation. He was a member of the Nassau Club and the Short Hills Club, and he served as president of the Short Hills Club.

At the Short Hills Club, Bob enjoyed playing tennis and paddle tennis on the weekends. His daughters recall the wonderful summers they spent with their parents visiting Bob's Danish parents-in-laws at their beach estate ("La Venta") on the coast of Panama. They will also miss his wry sense of humor and his repertoire of limericks. Ever the navigator, Bob gave his daughters "star" lessons, pointing out the stars and constellations on clear, dark nights. He also drove his daughters to school in the next town, somehow managing to take a different route each day.

The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to Bob's daughter, Anne Goldberg, and her family for seeing to Bob's welfare during his final years. In like manner, the family is very grateful to Richard Lee for his dedicated care. Per Bob's wishes, there will be no service.