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In Memoriam | Spring 2017

In Memoriam: 1950s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Edwin P. Bailey (Col ’50 L/M) of Leesburg, Virginia, died October 4, 2016. At the University, Mr. Bailey was a member of Glee Club, the drama program, the Virginia Players and the riding club. In December 1948, he attended his older brother’s wedding at Mount Holyoke College, and it was there that he met his new sister-in-law’s college roommate. She instantly impressed him and became the love of his life, and the two married in 1951. Mr. Bailey served in the U.S. Army after graduating from the University, and later attended Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. In June 1955, the Rev. Bailey was ordained a deacon, and the next year became a priest. After serving parishes in New England, Virginia and the Carolinas from 1956 to 1984, Mr. Bailey accepted the chaplaincy of the Church Farm School near Paoli, Pennsylvania, in 1986, where he also taught theology. In 1988, the Baileys moved back to North Carolina, where he pastored both the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cooleemee and the Church of the Ascension in Fork. In 2000, the couple retired to Penick Village in Southern Pines, North Carolina, where “Father Ned” enjoyed learning one new song on his harmonica each day to keep his mind sharp. Mrs. Bailey died in 2014; they were married for 63 years. Survivors include two sons, a daughter and two grandsons.

Russell W. Jenkins Jr. (Arch ’50) of McLean, Virginia, died January 17, 2017. Mr. Jenkins was a D-Day survivor and served on Omaha Beach at age 18 as a medic. After World War II, he came to the University to study architecture. He eventually owned a firm that specialized in churches; he designed more than 200 over the course of his career. Mr. Jenkins was honored to meet George Prescott Bush, grandson of President George H.W. Bush, at a special V-J Day commemoration at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 2014, on the 69th anniversary of the victory over Japan that ended the war. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, five of their children, 15 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Bert Alvin Nachman (Col ’50, Law ’52 L/M) of Newport News, Virginia, died October 24, 2016. He served for 30 months in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University, where he also served as sports editor of the Cavalier Daily and president of Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity. Always active in civic affairs, Mr. Nachman was a member of the Jaycees and the Newport News Elks Lodge, served on the board of the Salvation Army, and participated in several charity campaigns. He was also board member and vice president of Rodef Sholom Temple. He was admitted to the bar in 1959 and practiced with his father, the Newport News city attorney. Mr. Nachman later became director and president of the local bar in 1970. He was partner in the firm of Nachman, Jacobs, Murchison and Beale, and eventually became a sole practitioner, though he also enjoyed the position of substitute judge in Newport News’ civil, traffic, juvenile and domestic relations courts for 53 years. Mr. Nachman also had an affinity for tennis. Affiliated with the Hilton Tennis Club, the Warwick Yacht and Country Club, and Centre Court, he had as his favorite partner his son, with whom he spent many hours volleying and playing in doubles tournaments. Culturally, he enjoyed reading historical biographies, attending the theater and the Virginia Symphony, and traveling. Survivors include his wife of 63 years and four children; eight grandchildren, including Brooke M. Weber (Col ’02); and three great-grandchildren.

Constance Williams Smith (Nurs ’52 L/M) of Leesburg, Virginia, died December 5, 2015. At the University, Ms. Smith was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, and it was during this time that she met her husband of 60 years, Joseph H. Smith (Col ’47, Med ’52 L/M), who passed away in 2012. She received her master’s degree in nursing from The Catholic University of America in 1979, and then taught as a clinical instructor of nursing at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, from 1994 to 1998. She also had a private practice. After living in Bethesda, Maryland for more than 40 years, she retired to Deep Creek Lake in Swanton and eventually moved to Leesburg. Ms. Smith was a strong proponent of education, an excellent cook, and had a wonderful sense of humor. But above all, she was deeply devoted to her family, who loved her and miss her. Survivors include four children, including Barbara Smith (Col ’80 L/M); and seven grandchildren, including Mark Lungociu (Grad ’16).

Robert W. Stone (Grad ’55 L/M) of Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, died December 17, 2016. His wife, Lilyan Sydenham Stone (Grad ’53), died three months earlier, on September 16. Mr. and Mrs. Stone, who met at the University, were happily married for more than 62 years. Mr. Stone, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at the University. He retired in 1987 as senior executive vice president after a 20-year career at Irving Trust Co. in New York. Mrs. Stone was a homemaker and an avid gardener; she enjoyed reading, travel and art and was a member and past president of the Women Gardeners of Ridgewood. Survivors include three sons and three grandchildren.

Paul Bible Foster (Educ ’57) of Rockingham, Virginia, died January 25, 2017. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College in 1947, Mr. Foster achieved his master’s degree from UVA in order to pursue a career in education. He married in 1944 and had two daughters. For 36 years, Mr. Foster served Roanoke City Public Schools as a teacher, principal and general administrator until his retirement in 1990. He had a passion for music, and he enjoyed singing in and directing church choirs in two Churches of the Brethren, as well as serving as soloist for many weddings, funerals and other occasions. He and his wife traveled to all 50 states and abroad, and he was an avid golfer for more than 50 years. Survivors include two daughters, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Ronald “Ronnie” Kite (Educ ’57 L/M) of Charlottesville died December 29, 2016. At the University, he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and played on the men’s polo team. While driving a truck for a local oil company in 1962, Mr. Kite was approached by a friend in real estate to ask if he’d ever considered running his own hardware store. He ended up buying the property, founding Meadowbrook Hardware Company, of which he was CEO for 53 years. He was there when Kmart began building its Charlottesville store and helped supply workers at the site during its construction. At age 81, Mr. Kite made the hard decision to close the store in March 2015 in order to enjoy his retirement. Survivors include his wife, a daughter, two granddaughters, a stepson and a stepdaughter.

Barbara A. Coppeto (Law ’58 L/M) of Milford, Connecticut, died January 5, 2017. At the University, she was a member of the Honor Committee. The daughter of an attorney, Ms. Coppeto followed in her father’s footsteps by earning her law degree from UVA; she was one of only two women in her graduating class. She was admitted to the Connecticut State Bar in 1958 and worked as an attorney at law for Yudkin, Yudkin and Coppeto in Derby, Connecticut, from 1958 to 1981. A pioneer for women, she was judge of the Superior Court in the state of Connecticut from 1981 to 2001. She also served as a family court judge in many cities across the state during her career. In 2001, she was appointed senior judge, a title she held until her retirement in 2015. Judge Coppeto loved throwing parties and gathering her family together for every occasion. She was an extensive traveler who spent winters in Florida in pursuit of the “ultimate tan” and loved to read and spend time with her cats. Survivors include her two nieces, a grandniece and many extended cousins.