Ulrich Camillus Knoepflmacher
Ulrich Camillus Knoepflmacher, age 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Princeton, NJ, on September 4, 2026.
Uli was born in Munich, Germany, as the only child of George Knoepflmacher and Hilde Weiss. In 1939, following the Anschluss, the family emigrated from Vienna, where his father was working, to South America. Uli grew up in La Paz and then in Oruro, Bolivia, where he graduated with top honors from the Anglo-American School. In 1950, speaking three languages, he moved to the United States and enrolled a year later at the University of California, Berkeley, earning a B.A. in Architecture (1955) while obtaining US citizenship. Switching fields there, he then earned an M.A. in English Literature (1957) and proceeded to obtain his Ph.D. at Princeton University (1961).
Victorian literature and culture and then American and British children’s literature became the foci of his research and teaching. Highly valued at the institutions where he had studied, Knoepflmacher began his career at the University of California, Berkeley, as an Asst., Assoc., and Full Professor of English, before joining the faculty of the English Department at Princeton University as Professor of English in 1979. There, in 1988, he was named the William and Annie S. Paton Foundation Professor of Ancient and Modern Literature. After divorce from his first wife Cecilia Mann-Smith, mother of his first three children, he and Linda M. Shires married and had a child.
Uli was the author of six books, co-editor of four, and editor of two. He authored over a hundred scholarly essays, some collected in Victorians Reading the Romantics (2016). He was known especially for his still cited scholarly work on Mary Shelley, George Eliot, Emily Brontë, George MacDonald, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Rudyard Kipling, and Maurice Sendak. He is also recognized for being among the first senior faculty members in the United States to teach undergraduate courses dedicated to children’s literature and to help make it a scholarly field of study. Moreover, his work in children’s literature helped attract the distinguished Cotsen Collection of Children’s books to Firestone Library, Princeton University, an international research center and a resource for local children. Between 1989 and 2011 Uli served on Executive Committees of the Modern Language Association’s Divisions of Prose Fiction, Victorian Literature, and Children’s Literature and on the editorial boards of The University of California Press and of major academic journals in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Children’s Literature.
Over the years, he won numerous grants for his scholarship, among which were two Guggenheim Fellowships, two National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships, two Humanities Research Fellowships from Berkeley, and one each from the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the National Humanities Center. Upon his retirement in 2006, Uli was honored with Princeton University’s Behrman Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Humanities and the Anne Deveraux Jordan Award from the Children’s Literature Association of America for multiple contributions to the field.
Uli also won awards for his teaching and held many visiting appointments. He remained a beloved mentor to thousands of students and teachers from across the United States, some of whom remained in touch for decades and others of whom renewed connections in recent years, after decades, to thank him again. His memorable teaching style mixed brilliant close analyses, detailed knowledge of differing histories and cultures, self-illustrated handouts, a devotion to theories of literature such as feminism and gender studies, and a hilarious acting out of literary scenes and turns of language. With such a mixture of modes, he entertained, inspired, and educated at the same time.
As well as a writer, he was an artist. In later years, while publishing his self-illustrated children’s picture book Franny, Randy, and the Over-the-edge Cat Person, he wrote poetry, self-illustrated more children’s stories, and drafted a memoir. In 2021, he was recorded online in an interview by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., about his family and his life on three continents.
An avid swimmer and music lover, he was a former member of the Broadmead Swim Club and a local concertgoer. A lifelong defender and protector of all people, the natural world, and animals, Uli was happily devoted over the last 50 years to his six pet cats, who entered his life in Princeton at different times. Given his care and respect for all other beings, demonstrated daily, it is perhaps no surprise that each of Uli’s four children entered professions of healthcare, physical or mental, with local, state, national, or global emphases.
Uli is survived by his inseparable partner of over 45 years Linda; his compassionate children Julie, Paul, Daniel, and Alex; his caring son-in-law Jay Drillings; his empathetic daughters-in-law Liddy Leitman and Amy Veltman; and by his seven devoted grandchildren: Jared, Matthew, and Hannah Drillings and Nora, Ivan, Lucy, and Eli Knoepflmacher. His memory and his teachings will live on in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved him.
He was a member of the Conservative Minyan at the Center for Jewish Life at Princeton University for 25 years until he could no longer attend.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, September 6, at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel with burial in Princeton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to TASK Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (trentonsoupkitchen.org) or Greenpoint Cats, Brooklyn (greenpointcats.org).
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Sidney L. Willis
Sidney L. Willis, who lived for over 40 years in Princeton, N.J., and more recently during the past 22 years in Skillman, N.J., passed away at the age of 96 on August 31 after a very brief illness at the Princeton Medical Center. He is survived by his two sons and their wives, John and Patty Willis of Park City, Utah, Robert and Suzanne Willis of Ridgewood, New Jersey; grandson Ryan Willis, and his wife Sheri and their children Teddy and Sydney; and granddaughter Sarah Willis, and her partner James Benson.
Sid was predeceased by his wife of nearly 57 years, Edna Guthrie Willis, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 84; his parents, Peter Benjamin and Ellen Beula Edwards; his brothers Joseph Benjamin (Benny), Lewis and Harry; and two sisters, Charlotte Ellen (Lottie) and Dorothy.
Sid was born in 1930 in New York City, where he lived on the Upper West Side and later in the Bronx. He attended the NYC public school system, graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1947. He graduated from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, in 1951, after which time he served in the U.S. Army where he was stationed at the Panama Canal during the Korean War.
After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1953, Sid earned a master’s degree in City Planning from the University of Chicago in 1955 where he studied under Rexford Guy Tugwell, who had, among a long list of other accomplishments, helped shape policy recommendations leading up to FDR’s New Deal, and served as the Chairman of the New York City Planning Commission under Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. While in Chicago, Sid met his future wife
Edna at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago where they were later married in June of 1957.
Upon his graduation from the University of Chicago, Sid and Edna moved to Trenton, N.J., where he was hired by Bud Chavooshian to join the New Jersey Department of Conservation and Economic Development where, between 1957 and 1961, he held several positions and participated in all aspects of development and the administration of the New Jersey state planning program.
Between 1961 and 1968 Sid served as Jersey City, N.J.’s first Director of Planning where he established the city’s first full-time planning program and then went on to serve as Director of Jersey City’s Community Renewal Program.
After his time in Jersey City, Sid returned to Trenton where he served as the N.J. State Director of State and Regional Planning, and later the Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.
Between 1977 and 1982, Sid served under Mayor Pat Kramer as the Director of Community Development for the City of Paterson where, among other responsibilities, he advanced the redevelopment of the Paterson Great Falls Historic District and served as the President of the Paterson Restoration Corporation, a local nonprofit group.
After his time in Paterson, Sid returned to Trenton again to serve as the Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs until 1992 during which time, among other responsibilities, he represented the Commissioner on several state and regional planning boards and authorities and coordinated the revision of the Hackensack Meadowlands District master plan. In 1983 N.J. Chief Justice Robert Wilentz appointed Sid as a special master supporting the court in its landmark decision of what became known as the Mount Laurel II decision, which obligated all of New Jersey’s municipalities to provide for the production of low- and moderate-income housing in their zoning codes by making the opportunity to provide the housing attractive to builders.
During his career Sid also served as a research associate at Princeton University’s Research Center for Urban and Environmental Planning, an Associate Professor at the Rutgers University Department of Urban Planning and Policy Development, and a member of the New Jersey Civil Rights Commission for Human Dignity, a 16-member civil rights agency comprised of leading business, religious, and civic officials.
Aside from his productive career, Sid was a very active member of both the First Unitarian Church of Trenton and the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation in Princeton, where he served both congregations as President and Board member over the years and sang in the choir. He was an avid traveler and had a keen interest in history. Above all, he was a kind gentleman with a terrific sense of humor and will be deeply missed by all who loved him, especially his family.
A private memorial service for family members will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.
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William Harry Moran
William Harry Moran, 86, of Princeton, NJ, passed away peacefully on August 22 with his wife and daughter by his side.
Born in Princeton on September 2, 1939, graduating from Princeton High School in 1957. He was a mail carrier in the early 1960s and after a brief career on Wall Street, he returned to Princeton where he became the owner/operator of The Tempting Tiger at 14 Witherspoon Street. Many remember him as the face of customer service at the Whole Earth Center where he was a daily fixture for over 30 years.
William is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol Nyikita-Moran; his son Marc Moran and his wife Meredith of NH; his daughter Natalie Moran of Princeton; his younger sister and her husband Mary and Martin Higgins of NH; his younger brother and his wife, Irvin and Becky Moran of VA; as well as his grandchildren, Matthew, Sarah, and William III of NH. He was predeceased by his mother, Emily, and his father, Warren, and his first wife, Helen.
There will be a remembrance and celebration of his life held at The Arts Council of Princeton on Witherspoon Street on Friday, October 2 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted in Bill’s honor to WWFM or the Princeton Public Library.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.
—Mahatma Ghandi
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Nancy M. Rothberg
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Mundy Rothberg, beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and friend who departed this life on August 16 at the age of 88 after a courageous year-and-a-half-long fight with cancer. Born on May 5, 1938 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, and a lifelong resident of Princeton, New Jersey, she will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, quiet strength and grace, positive outlook on life, behind-the-scenes contributions to her husband’s career and organizations in the Princeton community, and an ability to make friends anywhere.
Nancy began her career as an X-ray technician at Princeton Medical Center (now Penn Medicine Princeton Health), certified by the American Association of Radiology Technicians, and was the first technician that the hospital had trained at the University of Pennsylvania to use a cobalt X-ray machine — a precursor to the radiation technology that extended her life following her diagnosis last spring.
It was at Princeton Hospital that she met her future husband, Harvey Rothberg, MD. They married in 1973 and soon after she stepped away from her work in Radiology to start a family. After becoming a mother, she dedicated her life to raising her daughter, Nancy, supporting her husband’s medical career, and volunteering her time to organizations close to her heart including The Women’s Auxiliary of Princeton Hospital where she loved her work on the Strawberry Patch booth at the annual hospital fundraiser “Fete,” the Girl Scouts of New Jersey, and The Princeton Ballet. She was an avid reader and read The New York Times cover to cover daily, often saving and sending articles of interest to family members. She especially loved the Sunday Book Review section, which her daughter read to her on her last day of life, a Sunday. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of British mystery books and television series, and was a lover of both movies and the theater. She had a sweet tooth and especially enjoyed peanut butter cups and often gave birthday gifts with a signature note “for a treat.” Later in life, she found immense joy in being a grandmother to her two granddaughters, Charlotte and Madeleine, and was always there to attend their ballet recitals, choir performances, or theater productions, even in the last months of her life. She and Harvey traveled the world and were reunited in death two days prior to their 53rd wedding anniversary for their final adventure together.
Nancy is survived by her devoted daughter Nancy Barnes (David), her loving granddaughters Charlotte and Madeleine, her brother Michael (Judy), and her stepdaughters Marjorie and Elizabeth (Barbara Raggi) Rothberg. She is preceded in death by her husband Harvey Rothberg, MD, her parents Michael and Helen Mundy, and siblings Mary Jane, Jean, and Christine.
Nancy leaves behind a life devoted to caring for and supporting her family with all of her being. She gave everything to those around her and never asked for anything. We will remember her for her grace, positivity, and quiet strength, especially after the death of her beloved Harvey and following her terminal diagnosis.
Services and internment are private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Princeton Medical Center Foundation Department of Radiology online here or checks may be sent to Princeton Medical Center Foundation (5 Plainsboro Road, Suite 365, Plainsboro, NJ 08536). Please contact the Foundation at PMPH-Foundation@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or 609-252-8710 if you have any questions.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.
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Joan Sklersky Resnick
Joan Sklersky Resnick of Princeton, NJ, sadly and unexpectedly passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026, following a brain bleed.
Born on January 23, 1952 in Laurelton, NY, Joan was an excellent teacher, loyal friend, wonderful spouse, and loving mother. She earned a master’s degree in Special Education and taught in Prince George’s county for about 13 years. After moving to Princeton she worked at West Windsor Plainsboro High School for nearly 30 years, where she was beloved by both staff and students.
Joan married Steve Resnick on June 21, 1992 — their wedding day, Fathers’ Day, and the summer solstice, the day of the most sunshine. Joan loved cooking, dining out, music, and gardening, but above
all else she loved her family and friends.
Joan passed while surrounded by her husband Steve and her two daughters Claire and Zoe, with James Taylor playing in the background.
Joan is survived by her husband Steve; her daughters Claire and Zoe; her sister and brother-in-law, Phylis and David Ruderman; and many other beloved family and friends. She was preceded in passing by her parents Perry and Rosalyn Sklersky.
Funeral Services are Wednesday, September 9 at 12 p.m., at Orland’s Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing Township, New Jersey. Shiva will be Wednesday 3 p.m., Thursday 7-9 p.m., and Friday 2-4 p.m. at the Resnick’s home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital or the American Cancer Society. Friends and family are invited to share a memory or photograph on the memorial page: everloved.com/life-of/joan-resnick.
Zichrona Livracha, “May her memory be a blessing.”