The weight of this sad time we must obey; Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.
The oldest hath borne most: we that are young Shall never see so much, nor live so long.
- King Lear, Act V, Sc. III

Dr. John Prince, Keystone’s beloved teacher, mentor, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. He was an enthusiastic and encouraging instructor and advisor for many members of the Keystone community, and his impact is immeasurable.

Dr. John Prince came to Keystone in 1981 after a 38-year career in medical research at Brooks Air Force Base School of Aerospace Medicine. At Keystone, he taught Middle School science, laying the foundation for his students’ exemplary research skills, and awakening inspired participation in the regional science fair. Dr. Prince played a critical role in developing Keystone’s science program – a program that is now nationally known for its accomplishments.

Dr. Prince was born on January 15, 1920, and graduated from Purcell High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1939. He attended the University of Cincinnati, earning a BS in Life Sciences in 1946, and went on to earn an MS in Cellular Biology and a PhD in Cancer Biology at the Saint Thomas Institute in Cincinnati.

Between 1943 and 1959 he was a research associate and instructor in the Biology and Experimental Medicine Department at St. Thomas Institute as well as a clinical lab supervisor at the Cincinnati Blood Bank. In 1959, he spent one year in Florida at the Department of Medicine at University of Miami.

Dr. Prince moved to San Antonio in 1960 to work as a research biologist in the Biosciences Division at the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine and continued there through 1981, working as a Research Cytologist in the Environmental Sciences Division and as a Staff Geneticist in the Pathology Department. He published over 30 papers in his life on topics ranging from the dynamics of the living human cell to laser cytology to cancer treatment.

Dr. Prince joined Keystone as a Physics, Physical Science, and Geometry teacher in 1981 and went on teach 5th and 6th grade Science, 7th and 8th grade Math, Life Science, and Pre-Algebra. His dedication to science education extended beyond the school day; he was a tireless supporter and promoter of the Alamo Regional Science and Engineering Fair, where many students saw their science careers begin. Over the years Dr. Prince served as president of the Alamo Association of Physics Teachers, and he served a term as president of the Board on the International Science and Engineering Fair. He also served as a member of the New York Academy of Sciences, the Texas Genetics Society, the American Society of Human Genetics, and the American Association of Physics Teachers. In his personal life, Dr. Prince loved the dramatic arts, and served as a lector in church.

Dr. Prince leaves a legacy of Keystone students who’ve achieved numerous accomplishments in the field of science. His tradition of challenging students to “do” science—to observe, to question, to hypothesize, and to experiment, lives on today as a hallmark of Keystone’s science program. He has inspired many to engage the physical world with a critical eye, with questions that guided him whether in the research lab or a Keystone classroom “What is its name? What does it do? How does it work?”

Dr. Prince leaves a loving family—his wife of 34 years Judith Prince, his son Jonathan Prince and his wife Jennifer, his daughter Chele Prince, his daughter Susan Richard and her husband Jude, his brother Joseph Prince, and eight grandchildren.

Reflections From Former Students

“Dr. Prince was so special to all of us, and fostered a love for science that has inspired generations of students.”

--Josh Ozer, Class of 2007

“Dr. Prince was a truly inspiring teacher and an even better person. I had Dr. Prince as a teacher for 5th and 6th grade science, but I actually knew him in a different respect, through my father, who used to work with Dr. Prince at Brooks Air Force Base. I enjoyed his class thoroughly. Dr. Prince showed us short documentaries like Powers of Ten, film clips like “Part I: The Miracle Of Birth” from Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, and even feature films like Life Story aka Double Helix, starring Jeff Goldblum. I remember Dr. Prince also played for the class my father’s copy of a Tom Lehrer’s “Elements Song” in which he recites all of the elements of the periodic table, parodying Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Major-General’s Song”. Though I’ve mentioned the entertainment side of his class, I also remember his introducing the class to Composition Books, a requirement for class notes. I still use composition books today (and recently convinced my girlfriend to start using them as well). I will miss Dr. Prince dearly.”

--Kevin Murphy, Class of 2002

“Dr Prince was such an amazing and wonderful teacher, we have so many great memories of him and how he always encouraged and inspired us to do our best. I very distinctly remember sitting in a circle in his classroom above the carriage house and learning. He will be so dearly missed. He is a Keystone icon and we will never forget him.”

--Travis and Aerie Beastrom Brown,
Class of 1998 and 2002