Carl Herbert Haag

Carl Herbert Haag died peacefully at home on April 23, 2025. He would want you to know that he was 71 days shy of turning 97 years old. He was a traveler, collector, loyal friend, and family man, and fascinated by the world and people around him. He is remembered as being intelligent, kind, generous, humorous, creative, quirky and caring of everyone he met. He was known for having a prodigious memory of people, places, food, and factoids of every imaginable kind. He is survived by his wife Carol, children Cindy and Ken, daughter-in-law Nikki, and grandchildren Elia and Grace.

Carl was born July 3, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the only child of Anna and Albert Haag. He explored the city and the surrounding area with his mother and his childhood friend Herb Field. He and Herb spent a summer with a Mennonite family in Virginia that was a treasured memory. One of his delights as a child was becoming a magician. His mother and he were avid bicyclers, staying in a youth hostel at an early age. Later he led cycling trips with Canadian Youth Hostel in Canada and Europe. Much later he took his wife and children on a cycling trip through the Canadian Rockies.

Carl was a bright child and attended accelerated classes in junior high. Following graduation from high school he enrolled in the US army knowing that the GI bill would help him go to college. Following WWII he was sent to Japan in the Quarter Master Corp and loved exploring the country and learning about the culture. There he searched through college catalogues A-Z and stopped at Antioch College. He graduated from Antioch College in 1952 after studying philosophy. Antioch was a significant influence on his life, and he took seriously Horace Mann’s challenge to “win some victory for humanity” before he died.

Following a short stint in the admissions office at Case Tech, he went to the University of Michigan achieving a PhD in Educational Psychology. He stayed on at U of M teaching some very creative and engaging courses to emerging high school teachers. In his desire to share the story of his creation of a fictious student from the days of working at Case Tech he responded to a job offer at Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton, NJ. He was so intrigued with the Advanced Placement Program that he left Michigan and took the job. And the rest is history! He worked as the Director of the AP program for 27 years.

ETS brought many good things into Carl’s life including his wife Alice Carol Schwartz. He saw her in a play as Mommy in the “American Dream” and thought she was dreadful, but when they took a walk at ETS and he saw her take her shoes off in the mud he fell in love with her. They were married on his birthday in 1965 at the Unitarian Church and made their life in Princeton for the next 60 years. They built a house in the woods and raised their two children in that house. Cindy Lara was born on New Year’s Day in 1968 and Kenneth Alan was born November 8, 1970. Carl created a magical, loving environment for them to grow up in. Long before he died Carl wrote a note for his family to find saying: “You were the best things in my life and I loved you deeply.”

Carl was an avid photographer and his kids often remembered him with a camera in front of his face. His photography was his art and he was very skillful at capturing his life experiences through photographic images starting from an early age. He enjoyed photographing people and the natural world while camping, at every family occasion and throughout his many travels around the world. He loved to share his photographs with friends and family.

Unitarian/Universalism was very important to Carl, coming from a non-religious background. He was engaged at local, district and continental levels. As a member of the congregation, he served in many ways including being the president of the church, committee member, teacher, historian, library creator and welcomer. He was elected president of the Metro NY District and served continentally on the ministerial fellowship committee. He was instrumental as a board member of the Universalist Retreat Center Murray Grove, saving 200 acres of New Jersey shoreland. Growing out of his UU experience he also helped create and lead a men’s group that lasted for decades and continues on.

Carl was an avid collector and was fascinated by tools and antiques. He had all sorts of fun collections including old coins from many countries, candle molds, apple peelers and cherry pitters, stamps, postcards, saws, copper and brass scales and lanterns.

Traveling was one of Carl’s favorite activities. As he said he traveled to three corners of the world. He loved camping, canal barges, home exchanges, cruises and bicycle trips. He enjoyed and excelled in planning all the details of the trips.

We raise a glass of glögg to an amazing human. Those who knew him know that he was genuinely interested in the world and all the people in it and possessed a palpable joy for life. He valued relationships and was a great listener, asking engaging questions to draw someone out and learn about them. Carl’s creative way of seeing the world made him a great story-teller, talented historian and playful companion. He cared about the environment and social issues. He was a deeply loyal and caring friend, father and husband. Carl was a gentle, loving soul who made an indelible impression on the earth and will be deeply honored and missed.

There will be a memorial service later this summer at the Unitarian Church of Princeton. Send inquiries to: susan@uuprinceton.org.

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Dr. Marcia E. Bossart, Ed.D.

Dr. Marcia E. Bossart, Ed.D., a beloved educator, passionate community leader, and lifelong advocate for learning, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025, in Princeton, NJ, at the age of 83.

Born and raised Marblehead, MA, Marcia’s journey of curiosity and pursuit of excellence began early. She graduated from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, where she met her devoted husband, David. They married in 1963 and, after a brief time in Connecticut, made New Jersey their home—living in Cedar Grove and Verona before settling in Princeton, Marcia’s home for over three decades.

Marcia’s dedication to education was profound and far-reaching. Holding a master’s degree in English from Montclair State College and a Doctor of Education from Seton Hall University, she devoted 35 years to shaping young minds and strengthening schools across New Jersey. Her expertise in curriculum design and educational administration was matched only by her unwavering commitment to students and educators alike. Beginning as a high school teacher, she rose through the ranks to become a building administrator, Director of Education, and ultimately Superintendent of Schools for Glen Ridge Public Schools and Princeton Regional Schools. Her passion for teaching extended to the college level, where she inspired future educators as an adjunct instructor at Caldwell College and Seton Hall University. She also shared her wisdom as an educational consultant, always striving to improve learning environments.

Marcia’s love for her community was as vibrant as her love for education. She served with grace and enthusiasm on the boards of the The Princeton Festival and The Princeton Symphony Orchestra as well as the Steinway Society of Greater Princeton, enriching the cultural life of the town she cherished. She was a cherished member of The Present Day Club, The Old Guard of Princeton, and the Rotary Club of Princeton, where she served as a past president, leaving a lasting legacy of service and friendship. Her commitment extended to the YMCA Board of Directors and as a trustee of the Princeton Nursery School. A devoted member of the Nassau Club, Marcia could often be found there with dear friends, planning their next adventure—always seeking new experiences and connections.

A lifelong lover of music, Marcia had a special passion for opera, theater, and the arts, which brought joy and inspiration to her life. She also treasured reading and travel, embracing the world with open arms and a curious spirit.

Marcia Bossart’s legacy is one of dedication, kindness, and an enduring passion for education and community—a life well-lived.

Marcia was predeceased by her beloved husband, David, in 1998. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Steven Milke of Florida; her cherished grandchildren, Heather Milke of New York, NY, and Miles Milke of Philadelphia, PA; and her sister, Joanne Hobin of Florida.

A private burial is planned.

Memorial donations be made to The Princeton Symphony Orchestra, continuing Marcia’s lifelong support of the arts. Marcia was involved with and supported each of their major programs, namely the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, The Princeton Festival, and their education programs: PSO BRAVO!. Gifts to the PSO can be designated for General Operations, or for one of these programs.

Princeton Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 250,

Princeton, NJ 08542, princetonsymphony.org/support/donate.

Arrangements are under the care of Mather Hodge Funeral Home.

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Sydney Shaffer Taggart
1932 – 2024

Sydney S. Taggart, age 92, passed away on November 15, 2024 in Princeton, NJ. Born on June 7, 1932 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the daughter of Dr. Ward and Marion Shaffer, she was a lifelong environmentalist and gardener, and became an active Garden Club of America horticulture judge.

Sydney graduated from Nichols Hills Grade School, Harding Junior High, and Classen High School, Class of 1950. She attended all of the major reunions and said, “I always had a ball.” She attended the University of Oklahoma where she became a Kappa Kappa Gamma. Sydney was Queen of the Corps at New Mexico Military Institute in 1950, Queen of the Oklahoma City Beaux Arts Ball in 1955, and was a member of the Junior League.

In 1955, Sydney married Charles Lutz Taggart, also of Oklahoma City. They moved to Princeton, NJ, in 1959 where they lived for 25 years. Sydney was active in the Princeton community, as Vice Chair of the Princeton Planning Board, and Chair of the Princeton Borough Traffic Safety Committee. She was also an active member of the Garden Club of Princeton, and actively volunteered for many local causes, including the Hospital Fete supporting Princeton Hospital.

After Princeton, the Taggarts lived in Dedham, MA, Dallas, TX and Worcester, MA, before settling in Wakefield, RI. In Wakefield, she found her paradise on 4 acres on a hill overlooking protected farm fields and forests, the Willow Dell Beach Club, Block Island, and Point Judith Harbor, where Sydney kept track of the time of day, with the comings and goings of the Block Island Ferry. She was active in the South County Garden Club, the Kingston Book Club, Courthouse Center of the Arts, and Willow Dell Historical Association.

Sydney and Charlie spent the last 15 years as residents of Stonebridge at Montgomery, in Rocky Hill, NJ. It became their home, and she remained active as Editor of the Stonebridge Monthly Newsletter and writing over 50 memoirs documenting her and Charlie’s family history.

Sydney is survived by her three sons Peter (Judy), Denver, CO, Ward (Rebecca), Las Vegas, NV, and Carl (Kim), Wayne, PA; 7 grandchildren; and her sister Mrs. Robert M. Rainey III (Rob) of Tulsa, OK.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Sydney Taggart will be held Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m., at Stonebridge at Montgomery.