In Memoriam: 1960s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Paul B. Smith Jr. (Res ’60, ’64 L/M) of Tacoma, Wash., died May 1, 2013. Dr. Smith practiced ophthalmology in Tacoma for more than 25 years. He served on the boards of several organizations in the Tacoma area, including the Charles Wright Academy, the Tacoma Actors Guild, the Tacoma Art Museum and the Pierce County Medical Bureau. He was actively involved in fundraising for Stanford University and Skyline Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife, Virginia “Ginny” Womble Smith (Nurs ’57 L/M); a son, Paul B. Smith III (Col ’85 L/M); a daughter; and two grandchildren.

William E. Peightel (Grad ’61) of Shippensburg, Pa., died Aug. 23, 2012. He taught high school biology before beginning a 35-year career at Shippensburg University in 1956. During his time at Shippensburg, he served as chairman of the science department, chairman of the biology department, coordinator of the sciences, chairman of the Franklin Science Building committee and co-director of the health sciences. For his outstanding service to the university, Mr. Peightel received the Danforth Foundation Teacher Award. He was involved in many local civic and academic activities, among them the Shippensburg Rotary Club, the Southcentral Pennsylvania chapter of Sigma Xi Research Society and the Shippensburg College Club. He was also a tutor with the Franklin County Literary Council. Mr. Peightel was an avid fisherman who enjoyed taking summer trips to Canada with fellow university retirees.

Banks K. Brown (Col ’63 L/M) of Zanesville, Ohio, died May 30, 2013. At the University, he lived on the Lawn and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Mr. Brown worked for Essex Wire, now Superior Essex, and was a longtime member of his church. Survivors include a daughter, a son and two sisters.

Julie F. Hamilton (Educ ’64) of Kitty Hawk, N.C., died June 7, 2013. She was a teacher and a high school guidance counselor. Ms. Hamilton was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend who loved the outdoors and was always eager to help her community. Survivors include two sons and six grandchildren.

Thomas M. Spratt (Educ ’66) of Richmond, Va., died July 1, 2013. He was a retired senior budget analyst for the Virginia Department of Corrections. Survivors include his wife, a son and three grandsons.

Albert G. “Skip” Willis III (Col ’66) of Denver died June 10, 2013. At the University, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., and started Lanier Glass Co., where he produced custom stained-glass art and taught at the Smithsonian Institution. He relocated to Charlottesville in 1976 to continue his glass art business at McGuffey Art Center, later adding a neon art enterprise to his studio. Mr. Willis also built custom small boats and canoes. His interests included reading the news, science, science fiction and historical novels, especially those about seafaring; hiking; contra dancing; big band music and rock ’n’ roll. Survivors include his wife and two brothers.

C. Holt Westbrook Sr. (Darden ’68) of Lookout Mountain, Ga., died April 6, 2013. Throughout his career, he worked for Trust Company of Georgia (also known as SunTrust Banks), AstroTurf Industries Inc., and Sherman & Reilly, and served as president and CEO of Brock & Blevins Co. and as the CFO and director of Scale Finance. Mr. Westbrook was also an adjunct professor of management and finance at the University of Chattanooga, where he taught strategic management and entrepreneurial finance. He was a past chairman of the Episcopal Commission of Southeast Tennessee, a past president of Fairyland Club of Lookout Mountain and past president of the Area Association of Visual Artists. Mr. Westbrook enjoyed singing in the church choir and playing golf. Survivors include his wife, Martha Garnett Westbrook (Nurs ’68).

Robert L. “R.L.” Smith III (Col ’69 L/M) of Tyler, Texas, died July 7, 2013. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. At the University, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and the Naval ROTC. He worked as stockbroker in Washington, D.C., before joining the U.S. Secret Service as a special agent in 1974. During his career with the Secret Service, he was assigned to the Intelligence Division at USSS Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; the Vice Presidential Protective Division for George H.W. Bush; the Miami, Fla., field office and a number of other posts. In 1995, he transferred to the Rome, Italy, field office, where he was a liaison with foreign governments for counterfeit U.S. obligations and was responsible for U.S. dignitaries who were traveling overseas. In 2000, he ended his federal career as the resident agent in charge of the Austin, Texas, field office. Mr. Smith joined the staff of the then newly formed Internet Bureau as chief investigator in 2001, transferring to Tyler in 2003 to serve as the manager of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for the Eastern District of Texas. He retired for a second time in 2011, but soon returned to work as an investigative consultant with the law firm of Ireland Carroll & Kelley. Mr. Smith was a sailing enthusiast who served as commodore of the Tyler Yacht Club. He also enjoyed golf and hunting and was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates. He had a penchant for bagpipe music and was always moved by any rendition of “Scotland the Brave.” Survivors include his wife and two sons.