In Memoriam: 1940s
Notices sorted by graduation date
Robert W. Banta (Col ’43) of Juno Beach, Florida, died April 18, 2018. He was a life member of the Psi chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity, and he received the Distinguished Flying Cross as a naval aviator during World War II. He spent all of his career as president of Banta Motors in Madison, New Jersey. Survivors include his wife, Virginia; three sons; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Oscar Wilder Underwood III (Engr ’47) of Winter Haven, Florida, died June 22, 2017. He served in the U.S. Navy in the North Atlantic during World War II before attending UVA. At the University, he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and Trigon Engineering Society. He moved to Florida in 1963 with his wife, Margy, and their two daughters. Mr. Underwood was a professional engineer, recreational sailor, and devoted husband and father. Survivors include two daughters, including Margaret Underwood Hodgson (Law ’84); a grandson; two sisters; four nieces; and a nephew.
Austin B. Clements Jr. (Col ’48 L/M) of San Antonio, Texas, died March 22, 2018. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, four Air Medals and a Distinguished Unit Citation. Born in Baltimore and raised in Petersburg, Virginia, he studied economics after the war at UVA, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. He worked for British American Tobacco Co. for 36 years in six Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, where he met his wife. He retired in 1984 in Monterrey, Mexico, as the company’s manufacturing director. Survivors include his wife, Cecilia; four sons; and eight grandchildren.
Joseph Helm Johnson Jr. (Law ’49) of Birmingham, Alabama, died May 30, 2018. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. After being admitted to the Alabama bar in 1949 and working for a firm from 1957 to 1973, he was a founding member of the firms Johnson, Thorington, North, Haskell & Slaughter and, later, Johnson & Thorington. He also served as of counsel to several other Birmingham firms. He was a member of many law organizations, and he served as president of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. Mr. Johnson served on the board for the Presbyterian Retirement Homes of Birmingham and as president and later chairman of the board of the Birmingham Symphony Association. He was also active in other organizations, including the English-Speaking Union and Birmingham Festival of Arts. He loved the people of Birmingham, and he was passionate about its architecture, industry and history. Survivors include two daughters, two grandchildren, his brother, a niece and three nephews.