In Memoriam: 1940s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Virginia Cummings Amiss (Nurs ’46) of Charlottesville died Sept. 20, 2020. She married Randy Amiss (Engr ’51) at the University Chapel on Sept. 21, 1946. They spent time in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas before returning permanently to Charlottesville. As a nurse, she worked alongside pioneer heart surgeons in Houston and, after returning to Charlottesville, worked at UVA Hospital, from which she retired in 1985. A proud UVA alumna, she was active in the Thomas Jefferson Society. Throughout her years in Charlottesville, Ms. Amiss was a member of the First Methodist Church, Boy Scouts of America, Job’s Daughters and DeMolay. She and her husband were longtime, enthusiastic members of the Virginia Reelers. For much of their retirement, she and her husband drove an RV throughout the 48 contiguous states and Canada. She enjoyed singing, gardening, baking, sewing, camping and square dancing. She was known for her warmth, wisdom and vivid storytelling. Her greatest loves were God, family, country and her Cavaliers. Survivors include her children Beverly and Matthew, six grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Herbert A. “Hobie” Claiborne Jr. (Med ’47, Col ’49 CM) of Richmond, Virginia, died Feb. 16, 2020. At UVA, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi, Calconon Club, Raven Society, T.I.L.K.A., Lambda Pi, Omicron Delta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. After receiving his medical degree, he completed his internship and a fellowship at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, followed by residencies at the Medical College of Virginia and UVA. He served as a surgeon with the U.S. Navy before returning to Charlottesville, where he became an associate professor in obstetrics and gynecology. In 1962, he opened a practice in Richmond that evolved into the Virginia Women’s Center. He also served as an adjunct professor at the Medical College of Virginia and was a member of many professional societies, including the American College of Surgeons and the Virginia Medical Society. Active in his community, Dr. Claiborne served on or chaired the boards of many organizations, including the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the UVA Medical School Foundation. Among his many achievements, he received the Outstanding Medical Alumnus Award from the UVA Medical Alumni Association. He was a voracious reader, a student of history, and a lover of art, architecture and the outdoors. Dr. Claiborne cared deeply about his patients, his community and, most of all, his family, who adored him. Survivors include his wife, Catherine “Kitty” Robertson Claiborne; children Herbert A. Claiborne III (Col ’77), William Claiborne (Col ’81), Thomas H. Claiborne (Col ’87) and Mary Frediani; 13 grandchildren, including Taylor Claiborne (Col ’13), Christian Frediani (Col ’19), Jaquelin R. Claiborne (Col ’20) and Charles C. Claiborne (Col ’24).