In Memoriam: 1970s

Notices sorted by graduation date

John Richard Shrum (Col ’71, Med ’77, ’81 L/M) of Charlottesville died May 23, 2015. At the University, he was a co-captain of the men’s swimming and diving team and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He had a dermatology practice with offices in Charlottesville, Clifton Forge and Farmville, Virginia, where he loved chatting with and getting to know his patients and colleagues. Dr. Shrum was a lifelong athlete and sports aficionado, competing in marathons, triathlons and open water swims. He was a U.S. Masters Swimming open water national champion on multiple occasions; swam 27.2 miles around Manhattan in 1983 and 1985; and, in 1998, swam the English Channel as part of a relay with two of his children. He competed locally in the annual two-mile Chris Greene Lake swim more than 25 times. Dr. Shrum also coached basketball and swimming teams in Charlottesville. A devoted Cavaliers fan, he found joy in watching and discussing the games; he loved attending football games at Scott Stadium on crisp fall Saturdays, and rushed the basketball court after the team’s win over Syracuse in 2014. Dr. Shrum was a curious reader, spending long hours reading and annotating books about the Civil War and military history; he was also particularly knowledgeable about the Mafia, sports history and American music. A music enthusiast, he played trumpet and the electric guitar and attended many concerts with his wife. He was a warm and witty man who loved entertaining his family over breakfast and burgers, during movies and in car rides to games and meets. Survivors include his wife, Ellen Olin Shrum (Educ ’02, ’10); daughters Martha Shrum Sharpton (Col ’01, Educ ’04) and Katherine O. Shrum (Col ’05); sons John J. Shrum (Col ’03) and James R. Shrum (Engr ’08); a brother, Joseph P. Shrum (Med ’82 L/M); and five grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to U.Va. Swimming & Diving c/o the Virginia Athletics Foundation, P.O. Box 400833, Charlottesville, VA 22904.

Oswald Christian “Chris” Fredricks Jr. (Col ’72 L/M) of Cary, North Carolina, died Jan. 13, 2015. He was self-employed in the printing industry, operating O.C. Fredricks & Associates. Mr. Fredricks was an avid U.Va. Cavaliers sports fan who also loved the Washington Redskins. Survivors include two daughters and three sisters.

Oscar “Bo” Carr (Col ’73) of Memphis, Tennessee, died April 6, 2015. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He practiced law, focusing on civil litigation, for 38 years at Glankler Brown in Memphis before being appointed a chancellor of the Chancery Court for the 30th Judicial District in Shelby County, Tennessee, by Gov. Bill Haslam in October 2014. In addition to his legal career, chancellor Carr was also involved in several community organizations. He served as president and a board member of the West Tennessee chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and for his service received the chapter’s Living and Giving Award in 2002. Chancellor Carr served on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Memphis for many years and was a hunter, golfer and dog lover. Bird hunting in dove fields and duck blinds was his favorite pastime, and he had a particular affection for his Saturday morning golf group. He was a witty and wise man who, while growing up in rural Mississippi, developed the fervor to seek civil rights for all. Survivors include his wife, two children, three sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Robert S. Diggs Jr. (Engr ’73 L/M) of La Mesa, California, died May 16, 2015. He worked as a mechanical engineer with San Diego Gas and Electric before becoming a stay-at-home dad in 1997. Mr. Diggs was active in his son’s early Cub Scouting years and coached his children’s American Youth Soccer Organization teams. He also volunteered at Murdock Elementary and Spring Valley Middle Schools, was a member of the Spring Valley Middle School site council and was an active member of the Spring Valley chapter of the Rotary Club. An avid boater and wood craftsman, Mr. Diggs enjoyed reading, spending time with his family and working in his workshop. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a compassionate man who often committed random acts of kindness. Survivors include his wife, Jan Buckley Diggs (Educ ’82 L/M); a daughter, Jennifer B. Diggs (Engr ’10 L/M); a son; and three sisters.

H. King Oehmig (Col ’73 L/M) of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, died May 23, 2015. At the University, he was a member of St. Anthony Hall/Delta Psi fraternity, Eli Banana and the men’s golf team. An Episcopal priest, he lived and served in many places and congregations throughout his life. He first served as deacon and assistant to the dean at St. John’s Cathedral in Knoxville, Tennessee, and soon thereafter served in various congregations, in  Millington, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; and Cartersville, Georgia. He and his family later moved to his hometown of Lookout Mountain, where he founded Synthesis Publications, a resource for Episcopal preaching, sermon preparation and worship. He served as rector at St. Barnabas Church in nearby Trion, Georgia, and led that congregation for 17 years before serving in his most recent post: as priest in charge at the Church of the Nativity in Fort Oglethorpe. In 1998, the Rev. Oehmig became head coach of the Baylor School’s boys and girls golf teams, and over the course of 12 years led the teams to a combined 21 state championships and was named U.S. Girls Golf Coach of the Year in 1997. He went on to coach golf for three years at Sewanee: The University of the South, forming enduring friendships with his golfers and their families. The Rev. Oehmig had a successful golf career of his own: he was named Dixon Brooke Most Valuable Golfer at the University, competed in two British Amateur Championships and won numerous Chattanooga-area tournaments. His passion for golf also encompassed course architecture; he was a historian and advocate of classic, links-style course design and played an instrumental role in the development of several golf courses. He volunteered with many nonprofit organizations, with particular interest in outreach programs for those most in need, and received various awards for his service, including the DuBose Award for Service from Sewanee’s School of Theology. He served on the board of trustees at the Baylor School, was a board member of Habitat for Humanity Greater Chattanooga Area and, along with one of his sons, co-chaired “fast day” for the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. The Rev. Oehmig was a generous, genuine man who loved spending time with his family, friends and fellow golfers. Survivors include his wife; a brother, West Oehmig Jr. (Col ’71 L/M); two sons, including John Oehmig (Col ’04); two daughters-in-law; and two grandchildren.

Deborah Mattox Rest (Educ ’75) of Bristol, Virginia, died March 5, 2015. She was a speech pathologist in hospitals and schools for more than 40 years, helping patients of all ages improve their own lives and giving a voice to those who previously did not have one. Ms. Rest was a member of her church handbell choir and the Embroiderers’ Guild of America. She was also active in her community, mentoring newly diagnosed cancer patients while she faced her own illness head-on. Survivors include two sons, one grandson, her parents and many friends.

James E. Evans (Col ’77 L/M) of Chesterfield, Virginia, died May 11, 2015. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and volunteered with Madison House. He was a partner in the law firm of Gilliam & Evans in Chesterfield. Mr. Evans was very active in his community and served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Chesterfield Historical Society, Swift Creek Mill Theatre and the Chesterfield Bar Association. A longtime member of St. John’s Church in Chester, Virginia, Mr. Evans was a warden of the church and served on the vestry. He was a committed friend and family man who had a legendary sense of humor. Survivors include his wife, three sons, a stepdaughter, a stepson, a grandson and two sisters.

Neil W. Randall (Col ’78 L/M) of Naples, Florida, died May 18, 2015. At the University, he was an Echols Scholar and a member of Hillel and the Jefferson Literary & Debating Society. A gastroenterology diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, Dr. Randall practiced at the Cleveland Clinic Florida—Weston in Fort Lauderdale; at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania; and in a private practice in Naples. He also served on the board of regents of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He was a gourmand with a love of traveling the world with his wife and their children. Dr. Randall was a brilliant physician and a wise and loving father, but above all, he was a “mensch,” a man of noble character. Survivors include his wife and three sons; his parents; his sister, Amy Randall LeDeaux (Com ’87 L/M); and two brothers.

Susan Sarver Dedrickson (Nurs ’79) of Evans, Georgia, died June 13, 2015. She served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Desert Storm. Ms. Dedrickson worked as a nurse anesthetist at Georgia Regents Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia; at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Georgia; and at Meadows Memorial Hospital in Vidalia, Georgia. She loved wine: drinking wine, looking at wine, picking out wine for her wine cellar and visiting wineries. Ms. Dedrickson’s family was the highlight of her life and sometimes she shared her wine with them. She and her family went camping in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; snorkeling in Florida; and traveled to South Carolina and Alaska together. Survivors include her husband, three children, her mother, two sisters and two brothers.