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In Memoriam | Spring 2022

In Memoriam: 1950s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Thomas H. Cook (Col ’50 CM) of Henrico County, Virginia, died Aug. 31, 2021. After proudly serving in the U.S. Navy, he attended UVA and majored in economics. His main career was spent in the mortgage industry, but after retiring he had a second career—really more of a passion—as a model train sales expert for the Toy Center in Richmond. In his youth, he was the runner-up in the National Spelling Bee. Survivors include his wife, Mary Jane; son Thomas H. Cook Jr. (Com ’81 CM); and three grandchildren.


Louis Joseph “LJ” Richman Jr. (Col ’50, Law ’55 CM) of Newport News, Virginia, died Nov. 3, 2021. After graduating from UVA, he served a stint in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Eustis as the assistant to the bird colonel. At UVA, Mr. Richman was a member of the Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity, business manager of the Cavalier Daily, and associate business manager of the Virginia Law Review. A member of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Bar Association for more than 50 years, most of Mr. Richman’s legal career was in private practice with a focus in tax law. Mr. Richman was actively involved in his community and held many leadership roles in the organizations he cared most about, including the Beth Shalom Nursing Home, his local American Heart Association, and the Fort Eustis Reserve Officers Association. He also served on the national board of the Travelers Protective Association after being president of the Virginia division. Mr. Richman was a benefactor of the Echols Scholars Program and the Jewish Studies Program at UVA, as well as a supporter of UVA athletics. After retiring from practicing law, Mr. Richman joined the advisory board of Mended Hearts at Riverside Hospital and volunteered advising families of patients having bypass surgeries. He was predeceased by his daughter Sheri Gayle Richman (Col ’88 CM). Survivors include his wife, Tzina Z. Richman (Educ ’62 CM); three children, including Michele Rae Richman (Col ’90) and Dorothy Ann Richman (Col ’92); and five grandchildren.


Robert B. Phillips (Col ’54 CM) of San Diego, California, died Nov. 8, 2021. Mr. Phillips was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as a navigator and operations officer. He was active in the advertising industry for over 60 years. He founded three advertising agencies, two of which he sold. The third, Phillips Marketing, he founded in 1989 and managed until his death. Mr. Phillips’ major focus for the past 20 years had been the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial, and he was active in its development and implementation. Survivors include one son, two daughters, five grandchildren and his former wife. 


John Morris “Jack” Mudge (Col ’55 CM) of Wilmington, North Carolina, died Aug. 31, 2021. While at UVA, Mr. Mudge was a member of the Naval ROTC and was commissioned as an ensign at graduation. He then spent two years on a destroyer in the Atlantic Fleet. During his time at UVA, Mr. Mudge also served as president of his fraternity, Chi Psi. After his service, Mr. Mudge began employment with the Nielsen Co., where he retired as a vice president in the New York City office. Mr. Mudge was an avid golfer and UVA sports enthusiast. He was predeceased by his parents, stepfather and stepbrother. Survivors include his wife, Sidney; two children; a stepsister; and four granddaughters.