In Memoriam: 1970s

Notices sorted by graduation date

John R. Moore (Com ‘70) of Charlotte, N.C., died Jan. 17, 2011. At the University, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He began his corporate career with Goodyear in Akron, Ohio, and moved to Greensboro, N.C., where he worked for Wrangler Jeans. He spent numerous years as the risk/ benefits manager of Stowe-Pharr Mills in McAdenville, N.C. Several years ago, he left the business world to become a math teacher in the N.C. school system, most recently at Caswell County High School. Survivors include his wife, Lucy W. Moore (Col ‘83).

Mary Ruth Northrop (Grad ‘70) of Mechanicsville, Va., died Sept. 16, 2010. She held membership in the Daughters of the American Republic, the National Society of Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, Order of First Families of R.I. and Providence Plantations, Sons and Daughters of Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar and First Families of Minnesota.

Dixie Mattox (Educ ‘72) of Bassett, Va., died Nov. 4, 2010. An educator in the Henry County Public Schools for 38 years, she served as the first principal of Collinsville Primary School, then was principal of Campbell Court Elementary School for seven years. She was active in the Daughters of the Confederacy, the Daughters of the American Revolution and Piedmont Arts Association.

Philip Chabot Jr. (Col ‘73, Law ‘76 L/M) of Nellysford, Va., died Dec. 10, 2010. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University, and later from the Law School, he practiced energy law in the Washington, D.C., area for many years. A skilled sailor, Mr. Chabot loved to be on the water at the helm of a sailboat.

Joseph Henry Scott (Educ ‘73 L/M) of Blacksburg, Va., died Nov. 12, 2010. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He worked for the U.S. Public Health Service, Washington, D.C., and retired from the U.S. Government in the 1970s. Upon retirement, he settled in Rehoboth Beach, Del., until moving to Blacksburg in 1989. Survivors include two daughters, Kimberly Scott Balow (Educ ‘97 L/M) and Rebecca Scott (Nurs ‘03 L/M).

George J. Stradtner Jr. (Engr ‘73, GSBA ‘77 L/M) of Natural Bridge Station, Va., died Nov. 13, 2010. At the University, Mr. Stradtner was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

Mary Bleidt (Educ ‘74) of Charleston, W.Va., died Dec. 27, 2010. She served the Dunbar City Planning Commission. She was also involved with, and worked for, Action for Appalachian Youth and the Kettering Foundation Grant at George Washington High School. Known as “the mother of community education” in Kanawha County, her reputation began with the creation of a community education center at the former Cedar Grove High School. Ms. Bleidt also worked with the Charleston Daily Mail on major projects, including the Youth Appreciation Awards and spelling bees. She also worked with the Chamber of Commerce to obtain business adoptions for area schools. She went to work for the Kanawha County Community Council as a consultant for Glenwood and Chandler elementary schools, establishing a mentorship program. In addition, she was on the board of Kanawha Valley Senior Services and was active on United Way committees and at Edgewood Summit.

Linda B. Byrd (Educ ‘75) of Glade Spring, Va., died Oct. 17, 2010. Ms. Byrd was an educator in Washington County public schools for 29 years. After her retirement in 1999, she, along with a group of other retired teachers, friends and school staff, created Hands On Helpers, a charity for school-age children in need. She was also a licensed contractor and real estate agent and served on numerous boards and committees in the community over the years.

Stephen Sensbach (Col ‘76) of Dublin died Jan. 3, 2011. He performed as a cellist with various orchestral groups throughout Europe and the Far East. At the time of his death, he was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. His book French Cello Sonatas, 1871-1939, was published in 2001. He was an enthusiastic bicyclist in the hills of Virginia and Ireland. Survivors include a brother, Jon F. Sensbach (Col ‘80).

Julie W. Schaffner (Nurs ‘76, ‘81 L/M) of Chicago died Dec. 31, 2010. Ms. Schaffner was a registered nurse and the chief operating officer of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Ill.

Sylvia Simmerman (Educ ‘77) of Thaxton, Va., died Oct. 15, 2010. Ms. Simmerman taught at the elementary level for many years, in the classroom and later as a reading specialist. She began her teaching career in Bristol, Va., in 1953. She later taught in Roanoke at Grandin Court and Forest Park elementary schools. She continued teaching in Bedford County after her family moved there in 1967, at Bedford Elementary and Bedford Primary schools. She retired in 1984.

Stephen Price Bredin (Educ ‘78 L/M) of Charlottesville died Dec. 13, 2010. He served in the U.S. Army as a linguist during World War II. He later worked for the Creole Petroleum Corporation, which became Exxon Corp. He worked with the United Nations in New York and later with the Darden School at the University. He also helped in the formation of WorkSource Enterprises, which provides job training and employment to people with disabilities, where he was a board member for 10 years. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed volunteering with the event staff at University of Virginia football games, as well as with the Thomas Jefferson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, of which he had been president. Mr. Bredin also enjoyed painting watercolors of the mountains of western Virginia and sailing in the waters of the Chesapeake. Survivors include a daughter, Virginia Bredin Gillock (Nurs ‘85 L/M); and a grandson, Charles B. Gillock (Col ‘14).

Laura Watson Robertson (Educ ‘78) of Covington, Va., died Oct. 21, 2010. She served for more than 30 years in the Covington City Public Schools, teaching reading and writing. Later, she received a master’s degree in administration from the University with a specialty in reading. During this period, she also served as Title I coordinator. She was a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also loved to garden, and, as an expert in raising roses, was a member of the Jackson River Garden Club.