In Memoriam: 1960s
Notices sorted by graduation date
John B. Watts Jr. (Engr ’61 CM) of Bellingham, Washington, died Sept. 17, 2024. Originally from North Carolina, he attended UVA to study chemical engineering and joined Phi Sigma Kappa and Navy ROTC. After graduation, he was stationed aboard the USS Northampton in the U.S. Navy. He spent many years as a researcher for building materials company Johns Manville. After moving to California and meeting his wife, Joan, he landed in Bellingham to work at Christensen Engineering, where he advanced Alaska pipeline interests. After his retirement, he served on the Bellingham City Council. His expertise in pipeline engineering proved crucial when the Olympic pipeline ruptured and exploded in a local park, requiring the council to conduct an extensive technical review. He was an advocate for park and wilderness conservation and spent many hours camping, kayaking and hiking with Joan prior to her passing. Survivors include his son, two nieces and several extended family members.
Henry Splawn Taylor (Col class of ’64) of Santa Fe, New Mexico, died Oct. 13, 2024. Raised in Loudoun County, Virginia, he studied English at UVA, where he was a member of Plume & Sword, a student-run literature review. He subsequently completed a master’s degree at Hollins University, by which point he had already published a book of poetry. He had a distinguished career as a poet and academic, teaching at Roanoke College and the University of Utah before landing at American University, where he taught for 32 years and co-directed the MFA program in creative writing. A parodist, he frequently lampooned other writers through his poems. He was adept at composing sonnets and limericks, and his writing often lingered on scenes from rural Northern Virginia. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for his third collection of poems, The Flying Change. He had a lifelong love of horses. Survivors include his wife, Mooshe; two sons; and two sisters.
J. Gilbert “Gil” Baldwin (Col ’68, Med ’72 CM) of Charleston, South Carolina, died Oct. 26, 2025. At UVA, he was a Lawn resident and member of the Raven Society. A medical internship and residency took him to Charleston. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Würzburg, Germany, from 1975 to 1977. He then joined the faculty of the Medical University of South Carolina and became a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Called to active duty in 1991 for one year with his Army Reserve unit during Operation Desert Storm, he returned to Charleston to establish the first MUSC office for internal medicine on James Island, where he worked until 2008. His most rewarding volunteer position was as medical director of Hospice of Charleston. He loved sports cars, travel and cooking. Remembered for his vibrant soul and wit, he embraced UVA’s Honor Code throughout his life. He is survived by his wife, Connie.
Neeley Charles Lewis (Col ’68 CM) of Bryan-College Station, Texas, died Sept. 25, 2025. At UVA, he studied government and foreign affairs and was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. After receiving his law degree from Baylor University and gaining admission to the State Bar of Texas, he began a 50-year law career. His multifaceted legal practice included serving as the College Station city attorney and involved everything from high-stakes criminal defense work to helping people prepare for their deaths. His desire to help his state led him to politics, and he served in the Texas legislature. While in office, his accomplishments included increasing teacher salaries and retirement benefits and co-sponsoring the Child Safety Restraint Law, which requires young children to be secured in a child safety seat. Loved ones remember him for his hospitality, kindness and gregariousness. Survivors include his wife, Becky; his brother, Stuart F. Lewis (Col ’73 CM); two children and their spouses; and five grandchildren.
Paul Zimmet (Col ’68 CM) of Ashburn, Virginia, died Oct. 20, 2025. At UVA, he was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi and Hillel. He remained in touch with his college roommates, reuniting with them every five years and meeting online to play bridge. A doctor of dental surgery, he ran a successful dental practice in Northern Virginia for over 30 years, retiring in 2007. He served two terms as president of the Virginia State Dental Board. He was active in the Parkinson’s research community and was a research advocate for the Parkinson’s Foundation. In his spare time, he loved reading, traveling with his family, biking and skiing. He frequently attended theater performances and Washington, D.C., sports games, particularly Nationals games. His family remembers him as a present father and grandfather who showed up to every performance and school function despite his busy schedule. Survivors include his wife, Marcia; three children; five grandchildren; and a brother, Steve Zimmet (Col ’64, Med ’68 CM).