Notices sorted by graduation date.
Harvey “Blair” Farinholt (Col ’60 L/M) of Gloucester, Virginia, died Sept. 28, 2017. At the University, he was a member of Delta Psi fraternity (St. Anthony Hall) and Eli Banana. Having established himself as a talented baseball player at Virginia Episcopal School, where he was known as “Ace,” he signed with the New York Yankees just before entering college. He kept up with both college and baseball, rooming one summer in the C League with Roy and Ray Mantle, younger twin brothers of his hero, Mickey. After graduation, he taught and coached at the Collegiate School for Boys in Richmond, where he stayed for four years. He then returned to Gloucester to take over the family business, Farinholt Insurance and Real Estate, which he later sold to form his own real estate firm, Mobjack Bay Properties. Mr. Farinholt made his mark in a number of ways in the county as a natural leader with a talent for galvanizing others. He located the land for and saw through the founding and building of the Ware River Yacht Club, which he served in numerous capacities. For more than 20 years, he and his loyal crew for the race committee ran the Virginia Governor’s Cup and other national regattas. As property manager for Elmington, a notable Gloucester estate, he saw the potential for a wildlife preserve and became passionate about establishing habitats for many creatures. Mr. Farinholt was involved in the community, coaching the Rotary Little League baseball team for 13 years, fundraising for the county’s Boy Scouts through an annual oyster roast and spearheading roadside cleanup each quarter. A constant presence as a father and grandfather, he was adored by his children and grandchildren. He relished the opportunity to watch them as athletes, taking in every game he could and, when they were away at college, organizing his day around streaming the contest on his laptop. He also loved teaching them about boating and other activities on the Ware River. An avid duck hunter, he shared that passion with all of them. Survivors include his wife, Tabb; two children, Bart Farinholt (Com ’84, Darden ’89 L/M) and Mary Blair Denious (Educ ’90); six grandchildren; and his brother, Jim Farinholt (Grad ’58).
Francis “Rockie” Fera (Col ’63, Educ ’68 L/M) of Leesburg, Virginia, died Sept. 7, 2017. At the University, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He moved to Leesburg in 1970, where he became a respected educator, avid volunteer and energetic advocate for the Thomas Balch Library and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. He spent 38 years in education, during which time he was awarded the Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leadership Award, opened several new middle schools in Loudoun County and was the namesake for the auditorium at Farmwell Station Middle School. He cherished spending time with his family and treasured encouraging his grandchildren in their academic and extracurricular activities. He was an active member of Shenandoah Region Antique Auto Club of America and enjoyed playing tennis, gardening, Nationals’ baseball and his “lunch bunch,” as well as traveling with his wife and close friends. Survivors include his wife, Peggy; three children; five grandchildren; and two sisters.
Davidson “Dave” Ream (Law ’64) of Evanston, Illinois, died Aug. 21, 2017. After earning his Juris Doctor at UVA, he spent time in Asia, first as special assistant to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and later in Sri Lanka with the Asia Foundation. A member of the District of Columbia Bar, he earned a Master of Laws from the University of California, Berkeley, and became a legal writer and editor at firms in San Francisco and Chicago. Much of his career was spent at the Defense Research Institute in Chicago, where he was editor of For the Defense, a legal journal serving the defense bar, as well as publications director, contributing to numerous legal books and other publications. Mr. Ream served as an alderman on the Evanston City Council and was involved in numerous civic and volunteer organizations. He enjoyed reading, cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Bears and travel—making multiple trips through Latin America, Europe and Asia. Survivors include his partner, Jane; two children; and five grandchildren.
Michael D. Wildhack (Col ’68 L/M) of Grants, New Mexico, died Sept. 15, 2017. At the University, he appreciated Dean Bob Cross’ particular attention and career guidance. He was a genial gentleman and a gifted teacher of English as a Second Language. Survivors include a niece, Elizabeth Wildhack (Col ’86 L/M).
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