In Memoriam: 1950s
Notices sorted by graduation date
Charles Holden Smith Jr. (Col ’50 CM) of Charlottesville died April 8, 2021. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. At UVA, he was a member of Sigma Nu and worked as an announcer for WCHV radio station, which he continued for 13 years after graduating. In 1963, Mr. Smith joined Montague, Miller & Co. Realtors, where he became managing broker, partner and president during his tenure before retiring in 1986. He served as president of the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors, received the association’s 1979 ethics award and was inducted into the hall of fame. He became the UVA public address announcer for men’s football games in 1963 and basketball games in 1965. His announcement that “There will be no smoking in U-Hall except by the red-hot Cavaliers” was welcomed with loud applause. He called more than 800 Cavalier games over 34 years before retiring in 1997. Mr. Smith and his wife, Emily, were active in the UVA and Charlottesville communities, supporting organizations including the local symphony, Monticello and the Miller Center, which gave the Elizabeth Scott Exemplary Leadership Award to Mr. Smith in 2008. He also served as president of the Thomas Jefferson Society and was a member of the UVA Lawn Society. A great storyteller with a wonderful sense of humor, he had a never-ending curiosity that led him to learn new languages, read the Great Books and pursue interests including beekeeping, photography and genealogy. He and Emily traveled to 50 states, Canadian provinces and more than 20 countries. Survivors include his children Tarina, Suzanne, Charlie III and Betty; six grandchildren, including Christopher Esclapez (Engr ’98 CM), Allison Esclapez Stacy (Engr ’02 CM), Emily Hesaltine Walker (Engr ’08 CM) and Chas Smith (Data ’21); and 10 great-grandchildren.
Lawrence L. Barroll (Col ’52, Law ’57) of Savannah, Georgia, died March 28, 2021. At UVA, he was on the cross-country and track and field teams. He was also a member of St. Elmo Hall and the V Club. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. In Savannah, he worked as the head of the municipal bonds department at Varnedoe, Chisholm & Co., and he worked in the same field in Philadelphia. Mr. Barroll was a member of the Society of Colonial Wars and the Assembly of Philadelphia, and he loved the Phillies, music, beagles, chocolate and his family. Survivors include his wife, Margery; children Lawrence, Mark, John and Lillie; three grandsons; a granddaughter; and a brother.
Thomas Fleetwood Hairston (Com ’52, Law ’55 CM) of Savannah, Georgia, died April 19, 2021. Born into one of the first families of Virginia, he spent his early years in China and was raised on the family farm in Patrick County, Virginia. While in law school, Mr. Hairston was chancellor of the Sigma Nu Phi legal fraternity, dicta manager of the Virginia Law Weekly, associate editor of the reading guide and a member of the Student Council. Having passed the Virginia bar exam after his second year, he was admitted to practice before the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Military Appeals after graduation. Mr. Hairston joined the Naval Reserve after law school and attended Officer Candidate School. He practiced law in Chatham, Virginia, before returning to the Navy in October 1960. After 20 years of active duty around the world, he retired as a captain in December 1977. He received medals including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with combat V, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Republic of China Armed Service Medal. His family settled in McLean, Virginia, after Capt. Hairston’s retirement, where he joined the Washington office of the Union Oil Co. of California. He retired as corporate vice president in 1995 and subsequently moved to Savannah. He was a member of several clubs and served on the board of Ford’s Theatre and the Washington Business-Government Relations Council. He also served as chair of the American Petroleum Institute’s general committee for federal regulations and as a director of the American Petroleum Institute. His first wife, Cherie, predeceased him. Survivors include his wife, Marie; children Gregory and Susan; stepchildren Charles and William; two grandsons; and a granddaughter.
Frank Wells (Col ’53 CM) of Brewster, New York, and Charlottesville died Sept. 25, 2020. A native of Brewster whose banking career was in Manhattan, he spent many happy vacations at his family compound on Mount Riga, Connecticut. He retired to Charlottesville. Survivors include his former wife, Linda Blackford Wells; children Lydia, Diana, Lindsay and Frank Wells Jr. (Col ’84); and five grandchildren.
Anthony Murray Leigh (Col ’55 CM) of Naples, Florida, died April 1, 2021. A native of Hagerstown, Maryland, he followed his father and uncle to UVA, where he was a member of St. Elmo, the IMP Society and Eli Banana. He also lettered in lacrosse for four years and was a member of the 1952 championship team. He married his wife, Eleanore, in his third year. After a short time with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Norfolk, Virginia, Mr. Leigh moved his family to Silver Spring, Maryland, where he worked for the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Co. He retired in 1984 after the breakup of AT&T Bell Companies. He then joined his wife in real estate in Gibson Island, Maryland, where they lived until moving to Naples in 1990. While in Florida, they pursued their real estate interests. Mr. Leigh was active in his church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and community organizations such as St. Matthew’s House for the homeless. He belonged to the Wilderness Country Club and High Point Country Club, where he enjoyed golf, tennis and fellowship. With friends Bill Satterthwaite and Tom Sully, Mr. Leigh originated the University of Virginia Alumni Club of Southwest Florida. Survivors include his wife and children Helen and Anthony.
Charles P. Cullop (Educ ’55, Grad ’59, ’62) of Milford, Ohio, died April 13, 2021. He served in the Virginia State Guard and later in the U.S. Army during and after World War II. After graduating from Emory & Henry College, he served as a coach, teacher, assistant principal and principal in several Virginia public schools from 1950 to 1958. He served on the faculty of Davis & Elkins College, before joining East Carolina University as associate professor of history in 1968. He soon increased his administrative responsibilities, serving as an assistant to the university president and, after being chosen by the American Council on Education, as the university’s first academic administrative intern. He was appointed as the first equal opportunities officer and, in 1973, was installed as associate dean of the graduate school. Despite virtually full-time service in the graduate school, Mr. Cullop usually managed to teach a history course each semester, and he participated in history department activities and historical associations. He published a well-received monograph, “Confederate Propaganda, 1861-1865,” articles and book reviews. He received tenure and was elevated to full professor in 1978. Upon retirement in 1990, he was appointed emeritus professor, after which he and his wife, Mary, traveled extensively in the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Cullop was an exercise enthusiast; he often remarked that over the years he had jogged a distance greater than the Earth’s circumference. Survivors include his wife, Mary Grubb Cullop; children Lynda, Rebecca and Charles Jr.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Archie M. Bolster (Col ’55) of Arlington, Virginia, died Feb. 21, 2021. A native of Montana, he received much of his schooling in postwar Iran and the Netherlands when his father served as agricultural attaché to the U.S. embassies. He entered UVA fluent in Dutch and well on his way to fluency in French. At UVA, he was a member of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society and the Raven Society, and he worked on the staff of the Cavalier Daily. He was also a member of the Navy ROTC program, an experience highlighted by summer cruises that included one on the battleship USS Missouri. He lived on the Lawn, a fond memory for him, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Bolster served three years in the Navy and entered the U.S. Foreign Service upon his discharge in 1958. His long career included postings in Cambodia, Iran, India and Belgium. He was consul general in Antwerp, Belgium, from 1978 to 1981 and was known for his expertise in Iranian affairs, aided by the Farsi language training he received in the Foreign Service. Along the way, he earned a master’s in public policy and administration from the University of Wisconsin. In retirement, he and his wife, Ann, continued to travel internationally and enjoyed their grandchildren, who started arriving at a rapid pace beginning in 2003. A devoted family man, his intelligence, gentle demeanor, warm smile and generosity attracted many lifelong friends. Survivors include his wife; children Christopher (Col ’86), Matthew and Amy; and eight grandchildren.
John P. Dougherty (Col ’57 CM) of Canton, Ohio, died Feb. 27, 2021. At UVA, he was a member of Delta Upsilon. He retired from Advest Inc. as a broker, and previously worked for McDonald & Co. and Prescott, Ball & Turben. He served two terms, from 1995 to 2000, as a Stark County commissioner and served for 17 years on the local board of education. He resigned in 1990 when he was elected to the State Board of Education. Mr. Dougherty was active in the organization of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival, serving as general chairman in 1967, and he was an active member and leader of the Lake Cable Recreation Association, the Massillon AAA and the North Canton Jaycees, from which he received a distinguished service award. Survivors include his wife, Sandy; daughters Cynthia and Lynda; four grandchildren; and a brother, Ron Dougherty (Law ’60 CM).
Jere Bowden Cobb (Engr ’57) of League City, Texas, died April 18, 2021. At UVA, he was a member of Naval ROTC, Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Trident Society. After being commissioned into the U.S. Navy and trained at Pensacola NAS, Mr. Cobb became a fighter pilot for the U.S. Marines. He settled in Nassau Bay, Texas, with his wife of 53 years and served as a NASA test pilot and professional pilot with 40,000 hours in many kinds of aircraft. Survivors include his wife, Paula; children Laura, Cynthia, Gregory and Kimberley; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
George W. Gowen (Law ’57 CM) of New York City died March 14, 2021. After graduating from Princeton University, he served in the U.S. Army. He then joined the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon before working as a smokejumper in Montana. After earning his law degree, he practiced law in New York, primarily with Dunnington, Bartholow & Miller except for seven years at his firm Fryer, Ross & Gowen. For decades, he served as counsel to leading sports organizations. As counsel to the U.S. Tennis Association, he was instrumental in building the National Tennis Center, reintroducing tennis to the Olympic Games, and implementing many rule changes. Mr. Gowen also served as counsel to the U.S. Olympic Committee and was a member of the international Court of Arbitration for Sports. He chaired the boards of environmental and humane organizations, including the National Park Foundation and the ASPCA, where he also served as president. Mr. Gowen helped found the Voltaire Society of America in 1996 and, in 2001, as chairman, he wrote and helped produce a PBS documentary “Voltaire and Jefferson: The Sage of Ferney and The Man from Monticello.” An active member of the Explorers Club, he joined the 1994 transverse of the Northwest Passage. He also served on the American Delegation to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, taught as an adjunct professor at NYU Graduate School of Business, and published two books. Above all, however, he was devoted to his family. He especially enjoyed summers, weekends and holidays with friends and family, including his wife, Marcia, who predeceased him. Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia Gowen Crawford (Col ’83 CM) and Lee Gowen (Col ’86 CM); four grandchildren, including Blair Marine (Col ’21 CM); and a brother.