In Memoriam: 1950s
Notices sorted by graduation date
Robert G. Proutt (Col ’50) of Baltimore died Dec. 21, 2016. At the University, he restarted the lacrosse program and twice served as the team captain. He was a three-time All-American as a defenseman and played in the college All-Star Game for the South team three times. He was also a member of Zeta Psi fraternity, the IMP Society and T.I.L.K.A. He was inducted into the Virginia chapter of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2012. After graduation, he returned to Baltimore, where he was a custom homebuilder. Survivors include his wife, Caroline; a son, Robert J. Proutt (Col ’72 L/M); and a grandson, Robert J. Proutt Jr. (Col ’99).
John Blaine Crimmins Jr. (Col ’51 L/M) of Chattanooga, Tennessee, died June 30, 2017. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He spent 38 years at Mills & Lupton Supply Company, where he served as president. He was active in several business and trade organizations and served terms as president of the Electric League of Chattanooga, the Westinghouse and Distributors Association, the Southern Industrial Distributors Association, and the Industrial Committee of 100. He was also an elected commissioner for the town of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, for 20 years. Mr. Crimmins was involved with the Boy Scouts of America, and he was director of SunTrust Bank, Chattanooga, for more than 25 years. He served as chairman of the board of directors of Memorial Hospital as well as its founding organization. As the president of the local chapter of the UVA Alumni Association, he loved hosting University officials when they visited Chattanooga. He golfed whenever he had the chance, and he especially enjoyed time with his family. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Marie Bryson Crimmins; a sister; five children, including Michael R. Crimmins (Col ’82 L/M) and Christopher P. Crimmins (Col ’84 L/M); eight grandchildren, including William M. Crimmins (Col ’16 L/M); four great-grandchildren; and a great-nephew.
Adam Christopher “Chris” Slonaker (Col ’53 L/M) of Winchester, Virginia, died Sept. 8, 2017. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged as first lieutenant. At the University, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, Skull and Keys and the American Institute of Architects. After his military service, he worked as a sales engineer for Anderson Box Co. He was active in the community, helping with his sons’ Boy Scout troops, driving the courtesy van at Winchester Memorial Hospital and volunteering at the food bank. He loved to play golf and, after retirement, enjoyed traveling the world, photography and home design. He was loyal and fun; he loved collecting jokes. He loved family, friends and sports, attending all the local soccer games of his grandchildren. He especially enjoyed the family’s annual reunions in Nags Head, North Carolina. Survivors include four children, including Elizabeth Slonaker Heaton (Educ ’84); four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a sister.
William Franklin Dorrill (Grad ’54 L/M) of Farmville, Virginia, died April 18, 2017. At the University, he earned his master’s degree in foreign affairs. Both a Fulbright and Ford scholar, he earned his doctorate from Harvard and worked as a China analyst for the CIA and RAND Corp. His career in higher education took him to University of Pittsburgh, Ohio University, University of Louisville and Longwood College, where he served as president. After retirement, he was a consultant on international relations to UVA. Survivors include his wife, Martha; and four children, including Rebecca Dorrill (Col ’85 L/M) and Lisa Dorrill (Col ’88 L/M).
Julius Rober “Buddy” Johnson (Com ’56 L/M) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died July 31, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany, where he, an Eagle Scout, also led a Boy Scout troop. The Charlottesville native spent his summers as a ranger at Douthat State Park. He lettered in track and was a member of the V Club while at the University. He retired from Texaco Inc. after 30 years of service, remaining active in the Texaco Retirees Association and organizing many reunions. He was also a member of the Thomas Jefferson Society of Alumni at UVA. Mr. Johnson loved hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and at Acadia National Park in Maine. He was a history buff and skilled woodworker, building furniture, sheds and log cabin birdhouses. He also enjoyed genealogy. Survivors include his wife, Anne.
Frederick H. Klostermeyer (Law ’56) of Henrico County, Virginia, died Aug. 21, 2017. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After attending Washington and Lee University, he graduated from the University of Virginia’s School of Law in 1956. He practiced law in Charleston before moving to Richmond in 1962 to accept a position with Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, from which he retired as associate general claims counsel in 1990. Survivors include his wife, Jeannette; a daughter; two grandchildren; a brother; and a sister.
Joseph W. May (Educ ’56, Med ’71, Res ’73 L/M) of Charlottesville died Jan. 6, 2017. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, the Raven Society and T.I.L.K.A. He also enjoyed playing center on the UVA football team. After graduating, he worked for Wyeth Laboratories as a pharmaceutical representative in the Hampton Roads area. He returned to Charlottesville in 1967 to begin medical school at the University. In 1972, he was chief resident in the newly designed family medicine specialty area. Upon graduating, he began a successful 42-year career practicing family medicine in Charlottesville. In his spare time, Dr. May enjoyed reading, farming, playing golf and poker with friends, and supporting UVA’s athletic teams. Known as “JockDoc,” he traveled as team doctor with Terry Holland, Craig Littlepage and the UVA basketball team in the 1970s and 1980s. A proud member of the Over the Hill ’Hoos and the Virginia Athletic Foundation, his loyalty and support of Virginia athletic programs remained ardent. Survivors include his wife, Jeannette Southall May (Educ ’73, ’74 L/M); five children; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
John P. “Jack” Ackerly III (Col ’57, Law ’60 L/M) of Richmond, Virginia, died May 18, 2017. At the University, he was a dorm counselor for three years, a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, the Z Society and T.I.L.K.A., and he was president of the student council. He played freshman football, ran freshman and varsity track, and was a member of the V Club. Mr. Ackerly received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award for outstanding male graduate in 1957. After receiving his law degree, he joined the firm of Denny, Valentine, now Troutman Sanders. He retired in 2010. He served on the University’s Board of Visitors from 1995 to 2003, serving as rector from 1998 to 2003, during which time he was instrumental in establishing a chair for the teaching of Civil War history. He also served as president of the UVA Foundation and was named to the Raven Society. He taught commercial law in the UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies and business law at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Mr. Ackerly participated in numerous other professional, political and civic pursuits, all the while remaining devoted to the University. Survivors include his wife, Mary Wall Ackerly; two children, including John P. Ackerly IV (Col ’86 L/M); four grandchildren, including K. Randall Ackerly (Col ’17 L/M) and Edward C. Anderson III (Col ’21); a brother, Benjamin C. Ackerly (Col ’65, Law ’68 L/M); and a niece and three nephews, including M. Burns Ackerly (Col ’02 L/M) and Stewart H. Ackerly (Col ’06, Law ’11 L/M).
Jay Stuart Freeman Jr. (Col ’57 L/M) of Philadelphia died July 16, 2017. At the University, he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. An editor, reader and historian, he had a profound appreciation for arts and culture and the ability to communicate the meaning and beauty he found there to those around him. Survivors include his wife, Anne; two daughters; and five granddaughters.
Alexander Yearley “Sandy” Hoff (Col ’57 L/M) of Baltimore died Sept. 24, 2017. He served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. At the University, he was a member of the IMP Society, Eli Banana, Delta Psi fraternity (St. Anthony Hall) and the V Club. He was also a captain of the varsity lacrosse team. He worked for Black & Decker Corp. before leading Yankee Engineering and Yankee Equipment in 1976. He enjoyed playing golf and cheering for the Orioles and Ravens. Survivors include his wife, Judith; three children, including Sally Hoff Thomas (Nurs ’85 L/M); and seven grandchildren, including Chase Willis Worthington Campbell (Col ’18 L/M).
Conrad Alfred Karnish (Engr ’58 L/M) of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, died Aug. 7, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a military police officer near Otsu, Japan. At the University, he was a member of Trigon Engineering Society. He went on to found Plastic Coating and Consulting Corp., in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Karnish loved camping, canoeing, hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing and gardening. He fished at Eagle Falls Lodge in Canada for over 25 years, and he loved spending time at his cabin in Amberg, Wisconsin. He had an adventurous spirit and love of learning. He was a Boy Scout leader and an active member of the American Legion. Passionate about seeing the beauty of the earth, Mr. Karnish and his wife, Marlam, traveled and cruised all over the world. He was a proud Cavalier and attended many UVA reunions. Most important to him were his love and dedication to family and friends. He had a wide smile, great sense of humor, generous nature and compassionate heart. Survivors include two children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Betty M. Hinkle Whitley (Nurs ’59) of Norristown, Pennsylvania, died Aug. 13, 2017. She worked as a registered nurse with Montgomery Hospital for 17 years. She enjoyed photography and gardening, and she was known for her great cooking. She was a passionate Wahoo and loved to attend UVA football games with her husband. She was kind and funny, and she lived for her family. Survivors include her husband, Reece Whitley (Educ ’61); two children; two brothers; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.