David Yost Hinshaw (1945 – 2023)

The class is saddened to learn from an obituary in The Press of Atlantic City that Dave died March 17 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. The information below is summarized from the obituary.

Dave came to Princeton, where he was preceded by his father Robert '39, from The Hill School and majored in History and was a member of Charter Club. After Princeton, he received his MBA from Columbia University. Dave served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and "during this tour of duty, he heroically defended American troops under siege from the enemy, putting his own life at great risk. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, among other honors."

Dave worked as a legal researcher in his civilian career, and the New York County Lawyer's Association recognized his work by founding an award in Dave's name. Here are some comments by the awardee of the Hinshaw Prize made during a 2016 dinner of the New York County Lawyers Association.

"One of the reasons I am so honored to receive this award is because of the person after whom it is named, David Hinshaw. Remember all those past Chairs of the Committee who I named, who served the Committee so ably? Well, they all could not have done it without David. David was the rock — the constant — through more than a decade of the life of the Committee. David served for a ten-year period from 1993 through 2003 without missing a meeting. (I should note that even after 2003 he continued to serve, but his attendance became more sporadic due to personal circumstances.) David was omnipresent. He was smart, witty, thorough and a real mensch. David, thank you on behalf of the Committee and the Association. It is such a great tradition that our Committee gathers each year to issue an award in your name, and I am thrilled to be the recipient this year."

From the Nassau Herald

From the 55th Reunion Book

David's last reported address was in New York City, although he later moved to his Atlantic City home.

David Y. Hinshaw

Flr. 1, 68 E 119th St., New York,

NY 10035-3956; 212-722-1100

Memories and Tributes

Steve Dunham:

I met Dave Hinshaw early in our freshman year at Princeton. We roomed together as sophomores. Unfortunately I did not keep up with Dave after graduation, though I heard that he served in Vietnam and later lived and did significant community work in Ithaca New York.

I was from the Midwest and only 16 at the beginning of our freshmen year. Princeton was very intimidating and Dave, one of the first classmates I met, was kind and welcoming, even sweet. He had also gone to prep school and had a quiet air of sophistication, with a touch of mystery. He was private but he had a good sense of humor and a twinkle in his eyes that still shows in the picture with his obituary in the Ithaca paper. I had never been to NYC and on a couple of occasions our freshman year he kindly invited me to spend time with him (and his mother, who I recall fondly) at his family brownstone in Manhattan. Dave did not share much about himself, so many classmates, even those who knew him, might not have known that he was the grandson of John Foster Dulles. He didn't hide it, but he also did not talk about his family legacy. He knew shorthand and had a stenography machine that he occasionally took to class. He was a very fast "typist" and could take down lectures verbatim. I don't recall that he ever sold copies of the lectures to classmates who "overslept," but he said it was a skill that would make him employable in the next depression because stenographers would be needed in bankruptcy proceedings. Talk about a depression mentality! My brother died during the year we were roommates and Dave was a good and supportive friend. Although I did not maintain contact with Dave, I still recall and appreciate his kindness and miss him in spirit.

Eric Schneider:

Bill Lehr, George Pilacy, Dieter Bloser, and Lou Bell were also roommates. I was the lone engineer. We were an interesting if unusual grouping of roommates Junior year in Campbell Hall. Not to be completely outdone by those living above Blair Arch across the way, we had 2 - 2 bedroom; suites which allowed us to dedicate one suite to be a study room during the week then became a party room on weekends, one bedroom serving as a bar. Of the 6 of us 5 belonged to Terrace Club. Dave was in a more "preppy" club. Other than Dieter and Bill I haven't had any contact with the guys since 1966.

Lanny Jones:

I am so saddened to read that we've lost Dave Hinshaw. He was a lovely person, and he made an unforgettable impression on me when I first stepped on the soccer field with our freshman year team in 1962. I had never seen anyone who played soccer that well -- dribbling, passing, ball control. And he was uncommonly decent. It was a lesson in humility for me. He was always that way.

Condolences, memories, and pictures may also be shared on this memorial page by responding directly to 66_MemorialTeam@tiger1966.org.