In Memoriam: 1950s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Maxine Platzer Lynn (Educ ’51 CM) of Los Angeles died Nov. 23, 2024. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from UVA after petitioning the Board of Visitors to accept her as a female second-year student in the School of Education and Human Development (then the Curry School of Education). Her studies also included many elective courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. She remained a proud graduate throughout her life, and in 2014, she made a $3 million endowment donation to the Women’s Center. The donation, which allowed the center to continue mentoring students and tackling the systemic challenges faced by women, led to it being renamed the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center. Her interests included art collecting, golf and reading. Survivors include three daughters, including Julie Lynn (Col ’88, Law ’92 CM); son-in-law Douglas Smith (Grad ’93, ’98); and four grandchildren.

Terring W. Heironimus III (Med ’55, Res ’61 CM) of Morgantown, West Virginia, died Aug. 1, 2024. A Charlottesville native, he graduated from West Virginia University and the UVA School of Medicine. After several years in the U.S. Army, he completed a residency in anesthesiology at UVA in 1961 and joined the faculty of the school, achieving full professorship in 1972. He taught many medical students and residents and served as medical director of the intensive care unit and the post-anesthesia recovery unit. In 1972 he established a school for respiratory therapists at Piedmont Virginia Community College. He served as the school’s medical director until 1978. He wrote the book Mechanical Artificial Ventilation, published in 1977. After moving to Morgantown in 1978, he served as a professor of anesthesiology at West Virginia University Hospital until retiring in 1988. In retirement, he contributed many years of professional care to patients at the Milan Puskar Health Right, a provider of free medical care to underserved members of the community. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader and enjoyed big band music and antique cars and airplanes. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three children; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Thomas James McDonald (Engr ’58 CM) of Charlottesville died Feb. 22, 2024. He studied mechanical engineering at UVA, where he was a member of the Trigon Engineering Society. Prior to his education, he was called to active duty with the Iowa Air National Guard. He later transferred to the U.S. Army and served in Korea. After graduating from UVA, he accepted employment with Allis-Chalmers in West Allis, Wisconsin. In 1961 he joined Bechtel Power Corp. in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he served until his retirement in 1989. At Bechtel he was involved with the design and construction of fossil-fired and nuclear power plants. He enjoyed attending UVA football, basketball and baseball games and rarely missed his daily morning jog. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Morris McDonald (Nurs ’49 CM); four daughters; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.