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In Memoriam | Spring 2021

In Memoriam: 1960s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Edmund “Ned” Berkeley Jr. (Grad ’61) of Charlottesville, died Dec. 29, 2020. Born in Charlottesville and raised in Tennessee, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of the South (Sewanee) in 1958. After teaching at the Miller School of Albemarle and Sewanee Military Academy, he worked as an archivist at the Library of Virginia in Richmond before returning to UVA in 1964. He worked in the special collections area of Alderman Library until his retirement in 1999, beginning as an archivist. He eventually became director of Special Collections and university archivist. Active in the Society of American Archivists, he edited the society’s book Autographs and Manuscripts: A Collector’s Manual and published articles in professional journals. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa as an alumni member in 1985. In retirement, Mr. Berkeley spent much time transcribing, annotating, and digitizing the papers of Robert “King” Carter, a prominent colonial Virginian about whom he had written his master’s thesis. Mr. Berkeley was an avid reader, especially of mysteries, and he spent hours assembling and painting highly detailed ship models and military miniatures. He and his wife, who predeceased him, loved to travel and made many trips to Europe as well as an annual beach trip with their daughter’s family. Survivors include his children Maria Berkeley Lamb (Col ’85, Educ ’87 CM) and Edmund Berkeley III (Col ’98 CM).

Alexander Hoke Slaughter (Law ’63 CM) of Richmond, Virginia, died Oct. 5, 2020. A Charlottesville native, Mr. Slaughter graduated from Woodberry Forest School and Yale University before earning his law degree from UVA. During a distinguished legal career at McGuireWoods, his charitable and pro bono efforts earned him numerous honors, including the Hill-Tucker Public Service Award from the Richmond Bar Association. Magnanimous yet self-effacing, Mr. Slaughter had a relentless intellectual curiosity and a wry sense of humor, and he took genuine joy in serious conversation. He was a superb athlete, from his youthful exploits in wrestling, football and tennis to his later years as a marathoner. He loved to be in the outdoors with his family and their dogs. Compassion for the sick and homeless and for animals led him to become involved in community organizations, including The Daily Planet, where he served as president of the board of directors, and his church and diocese. Mr. Slaughter’s formal accomplishments and activities, numerous as they were, can only begin to capture the deep qualities of kindness and decency that made him so beloved by all who knew him. His life was an inspiration to his family, colleagues, friends, fellow parishioners and the wider communities that he served. Survivors include his wife, Mary Peeples Slaughter; son, David; brother Edward R. Slaughter Jr. (Law ’59); and sister Mary Hoke Slaughter (Educ ’54).

Marilyn Barrow Smith (Educ ’64) of Overland Park, Kansas, died Dec. 8, 2020. She was one of the first women graduates and a member of Chi Omega Sorority. She retired as an administrator at the VA Medical Center in Kansas City. Her interests were in her church and genealogy and she belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution. Survivors include a sister, brother, two children and four grandchildren. 

C. Emery “Buck” Cuddy Jr. (Col ’65, Law ’68 CM) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, died Feb. 13, 2019. He began his legal career as a law clerk for the New Mexico Supreme Court. After serving as general counsel for the state’s education department, he went into private practice with White Koch Kelly & McCarthy. In 1981, he was a founding partner of Simons Cuddy & Friedman. Mr. Cuddy focused his practice on representation of school boards and school districts throughout New Mexico and served as president of the state bar from 1987 to 1988. He retired from the firm Cuddy & McCarthy in 2011. He spent much of his time hiking and climbing in the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains. Survivors include his wife, Martha Davis; daughters Erin and Reese; and stepchildren Sarracina, Kay, Gracie and Victor. 

Jack Roy Tayman “Tay” Rafter II (Col ’66, Med ’70 CM) of Winchester, Virginia, died Nov. 21, 2019. As an undergraduate at UVA, Dr. Rafter was named Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with high distinction. After medical school at UVA and an internship at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, he served two years with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and Fort Lee, Virginia, before returning to complete a family practice residency at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Virginia. After residency, he returned home to Culpeper to work in family practice, followed by a short period as an emergency physician before moving to Winchester, where he practiced family medicine until his retirement in 2014. He especially appreciated how family medicine allowed him to know his patients and also provide excellent medical care. He was particularly proud to continue his relationship with UVA Medical School as he served as a clinical preceptor for students who rotated through his practice. A devoted Christian, Dr. Rafter served on two medical missions in Togo after retirement and was a leader in Bible Study Fellowship. He was a history buff, serving as secretary of the French and Indian War Foundation, and he enjoyed golfing and traveling with family and friends. Dr. Rafter was a devoted UVA sports fan, a season football ticket holder who regularly checked the local paper to be certain that UVA coverage was the longest article in the sports section. Survivors include his wife, Carol Ann, and children Keith, Kyle and Ann. 

Alfred Rawls Butler IV (Educ ’68, Educ ’77) of Charlottesville died Nov. 21, 2020. Though he loved the outdoors and managed his family’s peanut farm for most of his life, his life’s calling was education. He was a high school assistant principal, a director of UVA’s Roanoke branch college, a consortium administrator at UVA, an assistant superintendent in Suffolk, Virginia, and later superintendent of the Franklin City Schools. In 1991, he earned national recognition as Virginia Superintendent of the Year. After retiring from the superintendency in 1996, he joined UVA as executive director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents and as a professor in the Curry School of Education, where he served for 16 years. He finished his distinguished career as a consultant for M.B. Kahn, a construction company specializing in school construction. Mr. Butler was a natural leader whose huge heart, discerning mind and exceptional work ethic inspired the many people he touched. A loyal and committed friend, father and husband, he was known for his even-keeled nature, his easy laugh, and his abiding passions for golf and hunting. He loved the years he spent coaching his sons’ sports and, when he wasn’t coaching, was on the sidelines of every school event and concert. He loved time spent at the beach and adored sailing his catamaran with his sons in the bright waters of Nags Head. Survivors include his wife, Jane King Butler (Educ ’97); sons Rawls Butler (Col ’91) and Adam Butler (Col ’94); and six grandchildren, including Lucy Butler (Col ’25). 

Robert Mark Helm (Engr ’69 CM) of Virginia Beach died Jan. 11, 2021. At UVA, he was a member of Navy ROTC and was commissioned as an active-duty officer after graduation. During 21 years of service in the U.S. Naval Reserve and retiring as a commander, he earned an MBA from Old Dominion University and had a full career as a financial analyst with Virginia Natural Gas and the city of Chesapeake, Virginia. He was quietly dedicated to his family, supporting his wife’s preschool while working full time and attending his children’s events with pride. A lifelong learner and a man of many talents, Mr. Helm could fix anything, build fine furniture, rebuild a Land Rover, bake a chocolate chess pie, and answer any Jeopardy! question or crossword clue. He loved cars and enjoyed playing golf, snow skiing, traveling the world and eating good food. His time at UVA was a source of great joy and continued to be as he attended football and basketball games as a season ticket holder. Active in his church, Mr. Helm experienced God through a varied and deep love of music. Though he could not sing on key, he could never get through Handel’s Messiah or The Sound of Music’s “Climb Every Mountain” without tears in his eyes. He shared his love with his family and took them to many performances, from Phantom of the Opera to Turandot to James Taylor and Dave Matthews Band. Survivors include his wife, Joan; and children Robert Helm (Col ’09), Ashley Helm Picklesimer (Col ’02, Educ ’02 CM) and Tyler.