Jeffrey Clifford Graf (1944 – 2023)

 

The class has learned of Jeff's death on March 31. He passed away peacefully at his home in Bloomington, IN. Click here for a brief obituary. In accordance with Jeff's wishes, there will be no service.

 

From the obituary, "He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Marilyn Graf; daughter, Katharine Graf Estes (Nicholas); son, Karl F. Graf (Elizabeth Baker); his granddaughters, Lucia and Willa Estes; brother, Gary R. Graf (Suzanne Mueller); and niece, Alexa Graf."

 

Jeff came to Princeton from Hotchkiss. Roommates included John Kipp, John Rutledge, and Michael Booth. After Princeton, a Fulbright to study in France, and receiving a PhD in English Literature from Indiana University, he served for 48 years in IU's Wells Library. Among his other accomplishments, Jeff wrote what many regard as the definitive study of why Indiana residents are known as "Hoosiers".

 

Nassau Herald

 

 

Tributes

Webster Tarpley: 

Webster has written an extensive reminiscence of Jeff and their adventures at Princeton and their travels in the years immediately after graduation.


John Kipp:

I knew Jeff at Hotchkiss, and we were roommates at Princeton freshman and sophomore years. Especially in our sophomore year, we would stay up late in deep conversation and solve all the world's problems. 
 

I very much valued his family heritage. His grandfather and grandmother immigrated from Germany to the U.S. and were illiterate. His father had a career in school administration. Jeff graduated from Princeton and then got a PhD in English literature. His heritage went from illiteracy to professorship in three generations. This is absolutely a great story of the value of immigrants. Welcome to them!

 

Michael Booth:

I first met Jeff when I came to Hotchkiss as a sophomore. I imagine he had already been there as a freshman. We became pals, along with many others who weren't big jocks or big anything else. There were a bunch of graduates who headed to Princeton, and three of us decided to room together our first year, Jeff, John Kipp and I. Jeff and I continued to share housing all four years, with others coming and going. Jeff was always available, to listen, to tease and generally to enliven the moment.

 

My deepest memory came at the end of senior year: he had finished his big paper some weeks earlier and I was still re-writing mine with no hope of finishing it on time, especially the typing. With despair and chaos looming large in my near future, he volunteered to type and for at least two all-nighters in a row, along with 2 or 3 others assisting at less intensity, he pulled me through the eye of the needle. He taught me several of life's lessons during that period.

 

John Rutledge:

Thank you for sharing what is, indeed, sad news. It is hard to believe that some one you liked so much, yet failed to keep in communication, has passed away. I realize at our age we should not be surprised by these types of notices but this one hurt. Jeff was one of the kindest and most giving people I knew at Princeton. He was always available to listen to whatever a friend wanted to discuss and rarely shared his own complaints. He had a wonderful sense of humor and shared it with all.
 
I tried several times to get him to attend one of our reunions but for whatever reason I was unsuccessful.  Perhaps he attended one of the off years( I have been to very few) and, if he did, I hope he was able to reconnect with some of his friends and memories. Jeff was a product of the East but obviously found great pleasure and reward in Indiana. It is wonderful to see that he enjoyed a great family life with his wife and children.