In Memoriam: 1950s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Edward J. Cooper (Com '50 L/M) of Virginia Beach died March 17, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired after 19 years as an internal auditor for Smith-Douglas Co., a division of the Borden Chemical Co. He then worked as an auditor for the Virginia Beach Public Schools for nine years. He was active in the Sons of the American Revolution, Executive's Club, Julius B. Lynch American Legion Post #35, Norfolk County Historical Society and the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society, among others.

James Ritter Phillips (Engr '50 L/M) of La Jolla, Calif., died March 15, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. While at the University, he was president of his class, captain of the swimming team and president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, he was a co-founder and third president of the Virginia Engineering Foundation and was a member of the Jefferson Society, the Rotunda Society and the Lawn Society. In his professional life, Mr. Phillips started with the Elliot Co. in Washington, D.C., as district manager. In 1961, he joined Solar Gas Turbines in San Diego, becoming vice president for sales and marketing. In 1977, he relocated to London as vice president and managing director of Solar Turbines Ltd., responsible for overseas operations. In 1981, he joined President Ronald Reagan's administration as the deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Commerce. He represented the U.S. in numerous trade and presidential missions to countries such as the USSR, China, Pakistan, India, Japan and Nigeria. After serving in President Reagan's cabinet, Mr. Phillips was appointed by then California Gov. George Deukmejian to establish, and be the managing director of, the California European Trade and Investment Office in London to assist California companies in trade matters throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In the 1990s, he returned to San Diego and worked as executive vice president for RDS Global.

Frank J. Runyon II (Col '50) of Clarksville, Tenn., died Feb. 29, 2012. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He later practiced law with his father in Clarksville. He then served two terms in the state legislature, from 1967 until 1970. He was legal counsel to the city of Clarksville from 1959 until 1991. He also served as legal counsel to the Clarksville Electric Power Board from 1959 until 2005. In addition to practicing law, he was active in his community, serving in many positions, including being twice the president of the Montgomery County Bar Association, president of the Clarksville Downtown Kiwanis Club, fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, chairman of the United Way Giving Fund, a founding member of the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society and president of the Tennessee Municipal Attorneys Association. Survivors include a son, Raymond Runyon (Col '95 L/M).

Thomas M. Ansbro (Educ '51) of Pensacola, Fla., died April 2, 2012. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. At the University, he was a member of the Virginia Players. He later worked as a technical writer for the Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Va. In 1967, Mr. Ansbro returned to the Navy, moving to Key West, Fla., and working with the Advanced Undersea Weapons School. He continued to work in naval education and training, moving from Key West to Orlando, and eventually to Pensacola, where he spent the remainder of his career as an education and training consultant for CNET. When he retired from civilian service after 37 years, Mr. Ansbro became an adjunct instructor of technical writing at Pensacola Junior College before retiring again to divide his time between Key West and Pensacola. He was a founding member of the Pensacola Opera.

Robert B. Beezer (Col '51, Law '56) of Seattle died March 30, 2012. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He later joined the law firm then known as McMicken, Rupp and Schweppe. In 1984, when he was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate for a seat on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the firm had become Schweppe, Krug, Tausend & Beezer. Prior to his federal court appointment, Judge Beezer served from 1962 to 1979 as a judge pro tem on the Seattle Municipal Court. Survivors include his wife, Hazlehurst Smith Beezer (Educ '55).

Joseph Neal Payne (Educ '51, Grad '55 L/M) of Charlottesville died March 6, 2012. Mr. Payne taught at Indian Springs School in Birmingham, Ala., and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis., before joining the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Education, where he enjoyed working for 40 years. He wrote Mathematics Learning in Early Childhood, a K-8 mathematics series, high school algebra textbooks, and several research publications. In 1997, he retired to Charlottesville, where he took continuing education classes at the Curry School of Education and enjoyed attending University theater and music productions. A genealogist, Mr. Payne was able to trace his ancestry several centuries, and was an active member of the Jamestowne Society and the Sons of the American Revolution.

W. Edward Armstrong Jr. (Col '52 L/M) of Richmond, Va., died April 1, 2012. At the University, he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He practiced orthodontics for more than 40 years in Staunton, Lexington and Waynesboro. In his later years, he earned designation as a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists. For 40 years, he was president and treasurer of Thornrose Cemetery. He was very interested in the history of Thornrose, and strove to educate others about it. He was also instrumental in bringing the statue of the Lady of Perpetual Care from Italy to its location on the drawbridge at Thornrose. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Cox Armstrong (Educ '85, '94), and a daughter, Deborah A. Armstrong (Col '88 L/M).

Homer H. Humphries Jr. (Col '52 L/M) of Jacksonville, Fla., died March 1, 2012. He served in the U.S. Air Force. At the University, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Mr. Humphries was admitted to practice before Florida state and federal courts,(the Southern, Northern and Middle districts of Florida), the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 5th and 11th circuits and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was a member of the Jacksonville, Florida and American bar associatons and the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel. Mr. Humphries was also a diplomate of the American Board of Trial Lawyers. He served as the Jacksonville representative to that organization's national board of directors and was recipient of the Jacksonville chapter's Outstanding Lawyer of the Year award in 2004, and its President's Award in 2007. He served as assistant county solicitor and assistant state attorney, and then entered into private practice, eventually limiting his practice to civil and criminal trial work. Mr. Humphries was appointed and served on the Judicial Nominating Commission for Florida's 4th Circuit.. He was also a life member of the American Bar Foundation. Mr. Humphries served on the Jacksonville City Council, strongly supporting the referendum for consolidation in 1967. After its passage, he was again elected to the new council, serving as its third president. He chose not to run again, but accepted appointment to the Downtown Development Authority, which he served as chairman from 1971 to 1978. Through the years, Mr. Humphries served on numerous boards with different organizations. He was a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. He served on the Jacksonville Committee of 100, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, St. Luke's Hospital Board and the Jacksonville Children's Museum Board, among others. He became involved in the Justice Teaching Program, where he spoke to several fifth-grade classes in St. Johns County after he left active practice.

David K. Chan (Grad '53) of Austin, Texas, died March 3, 2012. After working for Cargill for a number of years, he started his entrepreneurial career, which spanned running the largest grain-producing farm in Ghana, exporting manganese ore and running a construction company to establishing solar projects and vitamin distribution enterprises. These businesses took him around the globe and led him to live in Burma, China, India, the Bahamas, Belgium, Ghana and finally Austin. Throughout his life, he was actively involved in civic organizations, including most recently the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Long Center, the Austin Lyric Opera and the U.S. Asian Chamber of Commerce. He received numerous awards for his civic and charitable contributions.

Joan Gay Rollins (Educ '53) of Charleston, W. Va., died April 17, 2012. She taught at Horace Mann Junior High School and enjoyed gardening.

James L. Ross (Col '53) of Indianapolis died Feb. 9, 2012. In 1958, Dr. Ross began his dental practice in Lapel, Ind. Later, he opted to practice dentistry with Dr. Robert Risk. Dr. Ross was one of the original founders of the Central Indiana Soaring Society and served as president of the Blatchley Nature Study Club. He took a sabbatical from dentistry in the late 1960s to pursue a writing career. During this period, Dr. Ross and his family experienced rich and culturally diverse lives in Lesvos, Greece; Nenzing, Austria; and Campeche, Mexico. In 1982, he founded American Family Dental Center. He was a member of the American Dental Association, the Indiana Dental Association, the Indianapolis District Dental Association and the American Academy of Dental Group Practice. In his retirement years, Dr. Ross occupied himself by playing saxophone in a band, painting and continuing to be an avid reader.

William A. Pettit III (Col '54) of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., died March 14, 2012. Always involved in his father's business, Pettit Brothers Chrysler-Plymouth (later adding Dodge and Jeep), Mr. Pettit took over the business at his father's passing and also was appointed DMV license agent for Louisa County, Va. The Pettits opened their Museum of Motoring Memories at Natural Bridge, Va., in late 1958. Mr. Pettit was active in various Virginia travel promotion organizations during those years and served terms as a director or as vice president of Shenandoah Valley Inc., which promoted the attractions and the natural beauty of the area extending from Harper's Ferry, W.Va., to Roanoke and Salem, Va. Mr. Pettit was also active in many of the vintage car clubs, including the Rolls Royce Owners Club and the Old Dominion Packard Club, serving three years as president and continuing to provide artwork for their events even after retiring to New Smyrna Beach, Fla., in early 2002.

C. William Kuhlthau III (Col '55 L/M) of Venice, Fla., died April 16, 2012. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. At the University, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Mr. Kuhlthau joined New Brunswick Savings Bank in 1958 and retired as president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board in 1992. He held several committee memberships in the Savings Banks' Association of New Jersey and was a member of the American Institute of Banking. He worked locally for community fund drives, including the United Fund and YMCA.

Kenneth M. Donaldson Jr. (Engr '56) of Knoxville, Tenn., died March 4, 2012. He served in the U.S. Air Force. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He worked for 29 years for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co. in Newark, N.J., retiring as senior vice president for human resources. During that time, he also served two years as president of the Essex County Urban League in New Jersey. Mr. Donaldson retired in the early 1990s and moved to Knoxville, where he was an organizer and instructor of Never-Ever Tennis and played tennis with the Early Birds of West Hills Park. He was a devoted supporter of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team and a New York Giants football fan all his life. He was also a lifelong student of military history.

Sally R. Hiner (Nurs '56) of Norfolk, Va., died April 16, 2012. She worked as a registered nurse at Norfolk General Hospital.

Elizabeth B. Sully (Educ '56 L/M) of Naples, Fla., died April 2, 2012. A portrait painter and landscape artist, Ms. Sully had her first solo show as a teenager, and during World War II served in the Arts and Skills Corps of the American Red Cross in New York and Los Angeles. The many notables whose portraits she painted include actress Loretta Young and the presidents of U.Va. and Dickinson College. She was a fellow of the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, a member of the Cubertou Art Center in southern France, the Naples Art Association and an artist-in-residence at U.Va. Ms. Sully was also a founding member of the Naples Town Committee of the Colonial Dames of America. Survivors include her husband, Thomas A. Sully Jr. (Law '56 L/M).

Robert A. Wilson (Educ '56, '65) of Keswick, Va., died March 15, 2012. At the University, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In the 1960s, Mr. Warren and his wife, Libby, founded the Little Keswick School for special needs children. His hobbies included fox hunting, fishing, golf and University of Virginia athletic events. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Kew Wilson (Educ '59); and a son, Mark R. Wilson (Col '81 L/M).

Charles F. Witt Jr. (Educ '56, '63 L/M) of Crozet, Va., died March 2, 2012. He was the principal of Crozet Elementary in Albemarle County from 1966 until 1990, when he retired. Mr. Witt was a fan of U.Va. athletics, particularly U.Va. basketball. His hobbies included woodworking, building birdhouses that still adorn the trees around his property. Survivors include a son, Charles A. Witt (Educ '83).

William R. Young Jr. (Col '56) of Richmond, Ky., died Feb. 28, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, the IMP Society, and lettered in football and boxing. He later served as pastor at Presbyterian churches in Floyd, Va.; Fairlawn, Va.; and at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Ky. In Richmond, he served as chair of the Telford Community Center-YMCA board, the United Way and the St. Andrews Retirement Community. Following his retirement, he served as interim pastor and occasional supply pastor in churches throughout central Kentucky. Survivors include a brother, James M. Young (Col '53, Law '57 L/M).

Donald Bazemore (Arch '57) of Seattle died Feb. 17, 2012. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. At the University, he was a founding member of Sigma Phi fraternity. After graduation, Mr. Bazemore relocated to Spokane, Wash., to practice architecture. He later moved to Seattle in 1965 and, in 1970, established Bazemore Associates, Architects, which became DB Associates, Architects. His professional affiliations included the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He served as president or chairman of the board of East Shore Unitarian Church, Bellevue School District, Bellevue Planning Commission and the King County Policy Development Commission's Land Use Committee. He also was a member of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, the Eastside Forum and the Municipal League. Mr. Bazemore's other activities included acting in the Spokane Civic Theater and coaching Little League baseball, football and basketball. His survivors include a brother, John S. Bazemore (Educ '52).

Jac E. Baker (Engr '58 L/M) of Gig Harbor, Wash., died Jan. 22, 2011. At the University, he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. On graduation, Mr. Baker began his career as an aeronautical engineer with Boeing in Seattle. He was later hired by the U.S. Navy's command and intelligence division in Hawaii, where he lived for 26 years. Mr. Baker enjoyed the outdoors and spent time boating, fishing and skiing. He was a member of the Gig Harbor Lions, volunteered at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport and was a proud alumnus of the University.

Robert W. Daniel Jr. (Col '58 L/M) of Spring Grove, Va., died Feb. 4, 2012. Mr. Daniel was a farmer, businessman, teacher and politician who served five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from 1972 until 1983. He served in the U.S. Army. At the University, he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society and was a member of Phi Psi fraternity. Later, he was a financial analyst and taught economics at the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond. While in Congress, Mr. Daniel was a member of the House Armed Services Committee. He later served as deputy assistant secretary of defense from 1984 to 1986, and as the director of intelligence for the Department of Energy from 1990 until 1993. He was a recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. Mr. Daniel was the owner and operator of Brandon Plantation, a U.S. National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest continuous agricultural operations in the United States.

Franklin Howard (Grad '58) of Vicksburg, Miss., died March 7, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army. At the University, he was a member of the Raven Society. In addition to teaching economics at both the University of Mississippi and the University of Connecticut, Mr. Howard spent a few years in food service before joining Bechtel Corp.'s personnel department, working at many construction sites around the country. Following his retirement from Bechtel, he worked for several years as a dealer at the Isle of Capri Casino in Vicksburg.

J. David "Kip" Borisky (Com '59) of Delray Beach, Fla., died April 2, 2012. At the University, he was a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. He spent most of his adult life in Birmingham, Ala., working in a family-owned business. He was active in the Birmingham Jewish community, serving at one point on the board of Temple Emanu-El. He later moved to South Florida and worked at the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County until he retired. Mr. Borisky volunteered in his retirement as a literacy coach at the Village Academy in Delray Beach.

Thomas C. Joseph (Engr '59, Educ '76) of Charlottesville died April 4, 2012. He served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Joseph worked as an engineer for the city of Charlottesville, becoming director of the city's public works department, and was a licensed surveyor. He became vice president of S.L. Williamson Paving Co. in Charlottesville and owner of Albemarle Disposal Service, and was a member of numerous state and national engineering societies. Mr. Joseph was an active member of the community, a member of the Ruritans and of the Jaycees, serving on its board of directors, and was chairman of the Charlottesville Good Neighbor Committee in the 1960s. He served for a time as vice president of the board of directors of Offender Aid and Restoration. He also served on various community boards involved with low-income housing and formed and coached a basketball league for inner-city boys. More recently, he taught school on a Navajo reservation and in the Charlottesville City School system. At other times, he renovated homes in the Charlottesville area. Among other actions, his peace activism took the form of annual protests at the School of the Americas and protests against the Contra war to destabilize Nicaragua's revolution. He was a member of Charlottesville Latin America Solidarity Committee, the local Vets for Peace and the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice. Survivors include a daughter, Dolly R.D. Joseph (Col '97, Educ '05).

Ira S. Warren Jr. (Col '59) of Princeton, N.J., died March 12, 2012. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Mr. Warren retired from the Hercules Co. in Kingston, N.J., as a chemist. In his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening and caring for his dogs. He was also a member of American Legion Post 76 and the Nassau Club.