Necrology

Hadley Scott Roe '60

Aug. 10, 1938-Jun. 19, 2023

Hadley Scott Roe ’60 died on June 19, 2023, in Mount Kisco, N.Y. Born in Orange, N.J., on Aug. 10, 1938, he grew up in the neighboring town of Short Hills and came to Hamilton from Millburn High School, where he had played on the football and tennis teams. He played those same sports on the Hill and was captain of the tennis team during his senior year. As a member of Hamilton’s undefeated football team in 1958, he played both tight end and defensive end. Hadley majored in history and joined Psi Upsilon fraternity.

Following graduation and on the advice of H. Lee White, Class of 1934, a family friend and mentor, Hadley went to the University of Virginia School of Law, earning his LLB in 1963. His specialty was maritime law. Thereafter, he joined the law firm of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, becoming a partner on Jan. 1, 1973, and specializing in international maritime financial markets. 

In 1963, he became engaged to Dianne Hibbard of Southbury, Conn. They were married on Aug. 22, 1964, in Haddam Neck, Conn. They had two sons and a daughter.

Hadley’s career in maritime law involved him in a number of negotiations, some leading to the formation of new shipping companies. Among these was the Costamare Container Shipping Group, initially made up of retired World War II Liberty ships that he’d purchased at auction. Later, in 1992, he formed the Maritime Finance Group within the law firm of Seward & Kissel LLP with four colleagues. The initial group of five attorneys grew to as many as 50 in subsequent years. His principal clients were from Norway, Greece, and China. On behalf of the maritime group, he accepted the Lloyd’s of London award for deal of the year in 2012.

After his first marriage dissolved, Hadley married Mary Lee Fox in Mount Kisco on May 2, 1987, which that year was Kentucky Derby Day. The winner of the race was Alysheba. Thereafter, they celebrated both their wedding anniversary and the stallion’s victory with numerous friends, on some occasions as many as 200. Hadley retired in 2014.

Proud to be a Hamilton graduate, he was a regular and generous donor to the Hamilton Fund and chaired the Alumni Fund campaign in 1976. A friend of Hamilton football, he contributed to upgrading Steuben Field as well as the team’s locker rooms. He also gave financial support for the renovation of the Chemistry Building, contributed to several of the College’s capital campaigns, and was a member of the major gifts committee as well as his class committee and reunion gift committee.

Hadley S. Roe is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, and seven grandchildren.

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