Skip to main content

In Memoriam | Spring 2012

In Memoriam: 1930s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Richard C. Wight Jr. (Com ’30) of Richmond, Va., died Dec. 2, 2011. He served in the U.S. Army. At the University, he was a member of Theta Delta Chi fraternity. Later, he was in the office supply business before entering commercial and industrial real estate, building, managing and trading real properties. Active in public affairs, he served on the Richmond Planning Commission, part of the time as its vice chairman.

J. Royden Peabody Jr. (Col ’36 L/M) of Louisville, Ky., died Jan. 28, 2012. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. At the University, he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, the basketball team and later, the Z Society. He later practiced law for many years as a partner in the law firm of Stites, Peabody and Helm. Mr. Royden was a co-developer of Bashford Manor Mall from Bashford Manor farm. The farm had belonged to his grandfather, George James Long, and had three Kentucky Derby winners at the beginning of the 20th century. He was a two-time Kentucky State squash champion and eight-time tennis singles champion at the Louisville Country Club. Also a golfer, he was the Louisville Bar Association Champion three times. Survivors include two sons, James R. Peabody III (Col ’64) and John C. Peabody (Col ’71 L/M).

H. William Fink (Med ’38 L/M) of Norfolk, Va., died June 13, 2011. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Dr. Fink began practicing pediatric medicine in Norfolk with Pediatric Specialists, where he worked for 55 years. His commitment to medicine in the community also involved helping to establish Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters 50 years ago; being president of the Tidewater Pediatric Society, the Norfolk Academy of Medicine, the Virginia Pediatric Society and the DePaul Hospital medical staff; consulting at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital and establishing United Cerebral Palsy of Virginia in Norfolk. He wrote several journal articles on pediatrics, was a frequent lecturer and mentor for medical students and residents and was a television spokesperson on relevant pediatric issues. His honors included being named professor emeritus at Eastern Virginia Medical School, being the recipient of the March of Dimes Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics and receiving multiple Best Teacher Awards at EVMS. Survivors include three sons, Frederic N. Fink (Col ’77, Med ’82 L/M), Robert Fink (Med ’80 L/M) and Edward Fink (Col ’75, Med ’80 L/M); and a daughter, Joni Fink Burstein (Col ’82).

Llewellyn C. Thomas (Law ’38) of Eugene, Ore., died Oct. 26, 2011. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. At the University, he served on the Virginia Law Review and was a member of the Raven Society. After graduation, he began clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. He retired in 1983 and moved to Charlottesville, where he enjoyed auditing courses at the University, swimming daily at the community pool and planting a vegetable garden. Survivors include a son, W.M. “Merrick” Thomas II (Med ’75).