In Memoriam: 1970s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Walter Hugh Hagaman (Educ ’70 L/M) of Sugar Grove and Mooresville, N.C., died July 29, 2013. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Hagaman began his career as a math teacher, becoming a principal and assistant superintendent of schools in Mooresville. He later worked for 26 years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, first as a professor in the school of education and later as director of the McNutt Center of Learning Resources. He loved living in the mountains and never tired of the beauty of his hometown. An avid volunteer, Mr. Hagaman served on the boards of the local Habitat for Humanity, the Watauga County Library and the Appalachian Regional Library. He was active in the establishment of Cove Creek Preservation and Development, dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of western Watauga County, N.C. Mr. Hagaman, who was always starting a project or two, enjoyed watch collecting, photography, gardening, barbecuing, genealogy, woodworking and collecting first editions. Survivors include his wife and four daughters.

Paul Y. Virkler (Engr ’71, Law ’74) of Richmond, Va., died Oct. 18, 2013. He practiced law in Richmond for many years. Mr. Virkler was a Sunday school teacher and coached softball and basketball. Survivors include two brothers, including Mark R. Virkler (Engr ’74, ’80); and four nieces.

Daniel A. Juraschek (Col ’73) of Purcellville, Va., died July 14, 2013. At the University, he was a member of the U.Va. Pep Band. He was the pastor of the Community Christian Fellowship Church in Manassas from 1980 to 1991. Mr. Juraschek was the owner of Manassas-based construction company CB Enterprises from 1987 to 1995 and later worked as an employment supervisor in Arlington County’s department of human services for 15 years. In 2006, he joined Cascade Technologies, an information technology provider in Herndon, Va., as the company’s human resources director. He enjoyed volunteering with Servants 4 Him, a mission organization in Hamilton, Va. Survivors include five children; six grandchildren; his mother; two sisters, including Marla Juraschek Rommelmeyer (Educ ’75); and two brothers.

Rob Coles III (Col ’75) of Charlottesville died Sept. 17, 2013. At the University, he volunteered with Madison House. Mr. Coles, the fifth great-grandson of Thomas Jefferson, was an actor who portrayed Mr. Jefferson at public events across the country for more than 35 years. In addition to performing as Thomas Jefferson in skits, plays and personal appearances, Mr. Coles performed a one-man show, “Meet Thomas Jefferson,” which included, among other things, dialogue with contemporaries and a telling of the story of the Declaration of Independence. Often found at Timberlake’s Drug Store and walking Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, Mr. Coles was an expert outdoorsman who loved to read. Survivors include his wife, two sisters, a brother and many nieces and nephews.

Russell H. Douglas Jr. (Educ ’75) of Churchville, Va., died Oct. 23, 2013. He worked in the Goochland County Public Schools as a teacher, assistant principal and athletic director as well as a football, basketball and baseball coach. Mr. Douglas was the athletic director of Buffalo Gap High School from 1977 until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of the Virginia High School Athletic Directors Association, where he served a term as president. A beloved baseball coach to many youths in the Staunton and Augusta County area, he taught his teams to develop character both on and off the field. Mr. Douglas loved to talk, tell stories and share trivia. Survivors include his wife, three daughters, a son and seven grandchildren.

Joe S. Ritenour (Law ’76) of Leesburg, Va., died June 7, 2013. He was an attorney who specialized in real estate, criminal defense and other litigation and served as a professional mentor to many colleagues throughout his career. Mr. Ritenour served on the Loudoun County Planning Commission and was involved in numerous real estate development projects in the Leesburg area. He was an initial investor of the Leesburg Today newspaper and owned several successful restaurants. He played and followed a number of sports throughout his life, and was especially devoted to U.Va. basketball. Survivors include a daughter, Kristen Ritenour (Med ’10).

Jane Margle Slevin (Educ ’76) of Cabin John, Md., died May 21, 2013. She retired from James Madison High School of the Fairfax County Public Schools in June 2001. Ms. Slevin began her career as a reading teacher and later became an English teacher. After her retirement, she continued working in the school system as a substitute teacher and as a teacher mentor. She was an avid reader who enjoyed gardening, ballet and bird-watching. Survivors include her partner, her mother and four siblings.

Peter G. Ashman (Law ’77) of Menlo Park, Calif., died Aug. 5, 2013. He was inspired to study law by the book To Kill a Mockingbird. In 1987, Mr. Ashman was appointed a district court judge in Palmer, Alaska. He served on the bench for 16 years and received the 2013 Judge Nora Guinn Award from the Alaska Bar Association for his work in pursuing aid to rural communities, especially the Alaskan Native population. Mr. Ashman was an avid ukulele player who formed a ukulele group with fellow Alaskan judges and lawyers. Survivors include two daughters and five siblings.

Susan A. Hess (Nurs ’79 L/M) of Vienna, Va., died Aug. 5, 2013. At the University, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. As the wife of a foreign service officer, she lived abroad for many years in India, Malaysia and Taiwan. She taught at Mont’Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur; in the Alexandria City Schools in Virginia; and at the Bullis School in Potomac, Md. She was a gifted musician, a lifelong horse enthusiast and a curious scholar. Survivors include her husband, Daniel K. Moore (Col ’78); and their two children; her mother; a sister, Bethany Hess Chapel (Nurs ’85 L/M); and two brothers, including Peter B. Hess (Engr ’82 L/M).

Robert B. Peerman (Col ’79) of Nashville, Tenn., died Oct. 3, 2013. At the University, he participated in intramural sports and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Mr. Peerman was a certified public accountant and a financial planner who worked as a manager of information networks at Nortel and as a realtor with Fridich and Clark. He took great pleasure in cooking for his family and friends, volunteering for the Nashville Food Project, meeting with his book club and playing games of all kinds. An animal lover, Mr. Peerman enjoyed walking and running with his dogs in the Warner Parks. Survivors include two brothers, C. Gordon Peerman III (Col ’73 L/M) and William W. Peerman (Col ’75, Darden ’78 L/M).