REMEMBRANCE

IRÉNÉE “BRIP” DU PONT, JR. ’38

Upon receiving a degree in mechanical engineering from MIT, he worked for Ranger Aircraft Engines and then for DuPont from 1953 to 1978. At DuPont, he served as Senior Vice President and member of the Executive Committee from 1967 to 1978. He retired from DuPont’s Board of Directors in 1990.

Brip had a passion for cars. When he was 16, his father gave him an Oldsmobile, which Brip drove around the track of DeGroat Field during Founders’ Day in 2017. Brip also loved the woodshop at school and always made a visit to it when he came to campus. Woodshop teacher Rich Pierce presented him with a wooden steering wheel at the Founders’ Day celebration.

Tower Hill mourns the loss Brip du Pont ’38, whose history is deeply intertwined with Tower Hill. He was a devoted trustee, alumnus, parent, grandparent and supporter. He loved Tower Hill so much that he celebrated his 99th birthday on campus, and Tower Hill students created a special poster to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Brip’s father Irénée du Pont was one of the founding fathers of Tower Hill School. Brip served on the board from 1957 to 1977, and he was the Chair of the Nominating Committee from 1969 to 1977 and Chair of the Scholarship Committee from 1966 to 1973.

At Tower Hill’s Centennial Convocation, Brip delivered remarks recounting his time at school saying, “Thirteen years of growing up at Tower Hill made me feel mighty good.” One of Tower Hill’s youngest students in the Class of 2033 presented the Centennial rose and 100 year pin to Brip.

According to Board Chair Ben duPont, “Cousin Brip” was born at home, which at the time, was on the grounds of Tower Hill. He was the youngest and only boy of nine children. He joined Tower Hill in second grade in 1927, after having been homeschooled for first grade. He spent the next 13 years at Tower Hill, graduating in 1938 and was president of the general student organization.

Brip led a life of service and contributed his time to numerous boards. Over the years, Brip and his wife Barbara, of 77 years, gave generously to Tower Hill, and he was an advocate for education and lifelong learning. Brip founded the Wilmingtonbased foundation, Crystal Trust, which has played a critical role in the development and modernization of the Tower Hill campus for more than two decades, including most recently providing a leadership gift to complete work on the Neela Patel Center for Innovation - THE Hub, which opened to students in fall 2021. He also played a key role in developing Wilmington University and was one of the university’s long time trustees and former board chairman.

The Tower Hill legacy continued with Brip and Barbie’s five children having attended the school: Irene du Pont Light ’63, Irénée “Mac” du Pont III ’66, Cynthia du Pont Tobias ’68, Sally du Pont Quinn ’71, Grace du Pont Engbring ’76, along with two grandchildren: Margaretta Tobias Sacco ’98 and Irene Sophie Tobias ’03

Brip welcomed Tower Hill students to Granogue several times to hear the organ play. Brip always had a sparkle in his eyes, a story to share and a zest for life. The Tower Hill community has benefited from his legacy and spirit, and he will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will miss him greatly.