JAMES TAPPAN

TAPPAN--James Clifford, With his children at his side James C. Tappan, of Hobe Sound, Florida, died on October 29, 2022 following a short illness at the age of 87. And what an 87 years it was. Jim was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on July 16, 1935. His father was a Colonel in the U.S. Army and a fiercely proud graduate of West Point. Fully expecting, actually demanding, the same for his son, he was ushered off to Culver Military Academy for High School. There began friendships that would last for the rest of his life. Jim remained an active and successful fundraiser and advisor to Culver, recognized by the school with a Lifetime Achievement honoree. When it was time for college Jim surprised his father by rejecting a West Point appointment in favor of a full NROTC scholarship to Princeton University. He graduated in 1957 Cum Laude from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public Policy. Like Culver, Jim's lifelong love and dedication to Princeton would never waver. One of the happiest moments of the last year of his life was attending the graduation of one of his grandsons from Princeton. He belted out a joyous rendition of Old Nassau as he watched the graduates walk by. Following Princeton Jim was commissioned as an officer and Naval Aviator on the USS Wasp. He was Maverick before there was a Maverick. In one of life's fateful gifts he was assigned Robert Kay as a roommate. He and Bob quickly became the best of friends. When on leave Bob asked a favor, would Jim please escort his little sister to a local dance? Well, you know the rest. Jim met the love of his life that night, Patricia Kay. Pat was a stunningly beautiful and vivacious young woman and Jim was swept away. They quickly married and remained best friends and paragons of what a great marriage could be for the next 57 years, until Pat passed away in 2016. Jim and Pat raised three children, Jim Jr., Joe Tappan and Tracy Tappan Cahillane. He is survived by his three children, a daughter-in-law, Emily, a son-in-law, Steve, and six loving grandchildren. For the past five years Jim had a girlfriend, Michel Williams, who helped him continue to find joy in life. After his military career finished Jim embarked on a distinguished business career. He spent the first half of his career honing his marketing and general management chops with Proctor and Gamble. P & G brought the family from Ohio to Mexico to Newcastle, England where he served as Managing Director for P & G UK. He was recruited away by General Foods to be their Managing Director for Europe, and the family moved to Tervuren, Belgium. The family returned to the United States when Jim was named the company's Group Vice President. He bought a lovely home in Greenwich, CT where they remained for many years. After General Foods was acquired Jim started a buyout firm of his own, Tappan Capital Partners in partnership with Madison Dearborn, making him one of the early pioneers in private equity. He was a much sought-after corporate advisor sitting on many boards over the years, including Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Cross Pens, Beech-Nut, Columbia Mutual Life Insurance and Romano Brothers Beverages to name just a few. Another of Jim's passions was golf, which he shared with Pat (she was the better of the two) and passed along to his sons. Jim was a proud member of many great golf clubs including Pine Valley and the Royal and Ancient in Scotland. He also served as a Director of the PGA, allowing him to sneak onto any golf course he ever wanted to. He played golf to the very end, even making a last trip to Pine Valley this past summer with Joe, his son-in-law Steve and grandson Brooks. Jim was known for always bringing joy and positivity, always with a smile on his face. He was an archetypal extrovert and optimist who collected friends with great zeal. His lasting legacy will be the family he leaves behind. He was a tremendous father and grandfather. He adored his six grandchildren, tirelessly reveling in all of their accomplishments and they returned his love in equal measure. To say his was a life well lead is classic understatement. He was one-of-a-kind, a classic gentleman. He will be sorely missed, but oh what joy, wisdom and love he gave us.