In Memoriam: 1950s
Notices sorted by graduation date
William H. “Bill” Griswold III (Educ ’53 CM) of Seaford, Delaware, died Aug. 30, 2025. At UVA, he played varsity football and was a member of Sigma Pi Epsilon. He went on to earn a Master of Arts from New Jersey Teachers College in 1958 and a Master of Education from Rutgers University in 1964. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Army’s 716th Military Police Platoon and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Following his military service, he dedicated his life to public education, working as a teacher, coach and administrator. He was a skilled bowler, an enthusiastic woodworker, and a devoted coach of youth football and baseball. Survivors include his three children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Minor Lee Marston (Col ’55 CM) of Severna Park, Maryland, died Aug. 19, 2025. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UVA, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and the wrestling team. For 50 years he worked for the family-owned floorcovering wholesale business J.J. Haines & Co. in Baltimore, acting as its fourth-generation president from 1967 to 1988 and chairman from 1993 to 2001. Active in the Boy Scouts, the Severna Park Community Center and the Maryland Club in Baltimore, he also served on the boards of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Theological Seminary and Western Maryland (now McDaniel) College. He was predeceased by his brother, John Haines Marston II (Col ’62, Educ ’74 CM), and his father, H. Lee Marston (Col 1929 CM). Survivors include his wife, Sylvia; four children, including Christopher Haines Marston (Arch class of ’86); and seven grandchildren.
Bernard Anthony “Butch” Schwab III (Com ’56 CM) of Charlottesville died May 1, 2025. At UVA, he lettered in football, wrestling and lacrosse, serving as captain of the wrestling team and winning an ACC Championship in wrestling in 1955. He was also a member of the V Club, the Thirteen Society, Omicron Delta Kappa and Army ROTC. After college, he served occupational duty for the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. Returning to Charlottesville, he began a career that included building and selling homes, many throughout the Key West neighborhood where he lived and raised his family. He served in the Army National Guard for many years, was the head wrestling coach at UVA in the 1960s, and coached wrestling at Blue Ridge School. He enjoyed watching UVA sports, riding his tractor, reading history, playing croquet and painting. Survivors include his wife, Watts; four children; four grandchildren; and three stepdaughters and their children.
JoAnn Sesso Beman (Nurs ’58 CM) of Frederick, Maryland, died Sept. 4, 2025. Born in Washington, D.C., she came to UVA to become a registered nurse. She spent her career as a nurse supporting research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and Frederick County. After retirement, she served as a volunteer nurse. She was active in the Frederick County Senior Recreation Council, finding enjoyment in their exercise classes and hikes. She enjoyed being outside, doing yard work and spending time with her family. Survivors include her partner, Jack; two children; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Fred L. Somers Jr. (Col ’58, Law ’61 CM) of Atlanta died July 12, 2025. While at UVA, he was a member of Theta Chi, the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, and Virginia Law Review. Following graduation, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and taught at the Provost Marshal General’s School in Fort Gordon, Georgia. A founding partner of two law firms, he practiced law for 64 years, concentrating in private club and trade association governance. He was a past president of the National Club Association, served as counsel to numerous private clubs and served on several nonprofit boards. He was also past general counsel and chief operating officer of the International Light Transportation Vehicle Association and general counsel of the National Golf Foundation. His passions included family, golf, European and Roman history, and classical music. Survivors include his wife, Pam; his brother; four children; 12 grandchildren, including Carly Hemminger (Com class of ’16); and five great-grandchildren.
Charles M. Caravati Jr. (Col ’59, Med ’63, Res ’69 CM) of Richmond, Virginia, died June 5, 2025. At UVA, he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the IMP Society, the Thirteen Society, T.I.L.K.A. and Phi Kappa Sigma. Having founded Dermatology Associates of Virginia in 1969, he retired from dermatology practice in 2000 and was awarded the Walter Reed Distinguished Achievement Award by the UVA School of Medicine. His board service over the years included the university’s Board of Visitors from 1994 to 2002, the UVA Medical School Foundation, and the nonprofit ChildFund International. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. Survivors include his wife, Betty; his three children, Charles M. “Chip” Caravati III (Col ’87, Darden ’92 CM), Elizabeth C. Butler (Col ’88 CM) and Nancy Caravati Jordan (Col ’93, Educ ’93 CM); and 10 grandchildren, Noland Butler (Col ’18 CM), Charles Caravati IV (Col class of ’19), Katharine Butler (Educ ’20 CM), Mason Jordan (Engr class of ’20), Robert Caravati (Col class of ’21), Thomas Caravati (Col class of ’22), Carson Butler (Col class of ’22), Virginia Butler (Educ class of ’22, class of ’23), John Gwyn Jordan IV (Col class of ’25) and Caroline Jordan