Preller, a life of selflessness
Throughout his lifetime, professor emeritus Victor Preller '53 delighted in sharing his academic wisdom and spiritual guidance with others.In 1959, when Preller was a graduate student in religion at the University, the department's founder described him in a recommendation letter as "willing to spend any amount of time with a man who needs help."During his tenure as master of the graduate college, Preller invited his graduate students to the master's suite for one-on-one discussions accompanied by several pots of tea and a selection of classical music.Later in his life, even while battling cancer and emphysema, Preller continued to serve as a spiritual adviser and friend to his parishioners at All Saints' Church in Princeton, where he served as an Episcopal minister."He viewed everyone with remarkable tolerance and was extremely understanding," said history professor Peter Brown, who attended Preller's Eucharist services at All Saints' Church.