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In Memoriam | Spring 2017

In Memoriam: 1970s

Notices sorted by graduation date

John “Jack” Korte Rhoades (Col ’71 L/M) of Culpeper, Virginia, died January 18, 2017. At the University, Mr. Rhoades was a resident advisor and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Eli Banana. After graduation, he married and worked for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings for 10 years. Mr. Rhoades worked as a trader for Eurobond Online starting in 2007. His love of gardening, golf and UVA football were just a few of his passions, and he had recently attended his 45th college reunion. His wife predeceased him in 2001. Survivors include two children, two brothers and two grandsons.

Margaret Anne “Anita” Martin Steele (Law ’71) of Roanoke, Virginia, died December 4, 2016. After marrying in 1947 and earning a philosophy degree from Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1948, she moved to Catawba, Virginia, where she and her husband reared four children. They also raised Angus beef cattle and developed Crossroads Shopping Mall. After divorcing, Mrs. Steele entered the University to earn her law degree and then moved to Seattle, Washington. She joined the faculty of a new law school at the University of Puget Sound as director of the law library and assistant professor. She was promoted over the years to full professor, and married a fellow law professor. They shared more than 20 years together before his death in 1996. The couple enjoyed traveling, reading, classical music, and collecting art and Oriental rugs. In 1999, Mrs. Steele retired and returned to Roanoke, Virginia, to be near her children and grandchildren; there, she was regent of her chapter in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A descendant of Colonial Southern families, she published a book titled Martin and Carmichael Descendants in Georgia, 1811-1994 (Gateway Press, 1994) as well as articles on genealogy and law. She is survived by two daughters, including Linda F. Steele (Law ’75 L/M); two sons, including Roger D. Steele (Com ’74 L/M); six grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

Lawrence Bidwell Garland (Arch ’72 L/M) of Boulder, Colorado, died January 15, 2017. At the University, Mr. Garland was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He married in 1983 and was founder and CEO of Eldorado Trading Company in Broomfield, Colorado. During this time, he also served as a youth soccer coach and leader in Boy Scouting for many years. He and his wife shared a passion for traveling and sailing and explored the Colorado mountains together. Survivors include his wife, two children, a sister and several nieces and nephews.

James A. Haw (Grad ’72) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, died January 9, 2017. He was a professor of American history for Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne for 39 years, specializing in history from the Colonial era to the Civil War. He was also an avid birder, a member of the National Audubon Society and Indiana Audubon Society, and a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Survivors include many cousins.

Thomas Edison Tilley (Educ ’73) of Richmond, Virginia, died January 13, 2017. After receiving his master’s degree in education administration from the University, Mr. Tilley spent 32 years in education with Chesterfield County Public Schools. He served as principal at Carver Middle School for 19 years and finished his career as principal of Robious Middle School. After retiring, he continued to work for the Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Mr. Tilley had a lifelong love of learning and was a big Wahoo fan. He enjoyed skiing, traveling, fishing, kayaking, biking and playing guitar, but his most cherished time was that spent with his family. Survivors include his wife, a son and daughter, two grandchildren and two sisters.

John Purroy Jackson Jr. (Col ’74 L/M) of Mount Airy, North Carolina, died January 20, 2017. At the University, he was a member of Madison House. He loved sports (especially UVA sports!), history, reading, nature, and above all, people. He served countless customers for more than 35 years as a businessman and agent for Nationwide Insurance and also served as a basketball coach and volunteer in his spare time. Survivors include his wife, their three sons and a grandson.

Wendy Weiss Newman (Col ’74 L/M) of Leesburg, Virginia, died November 25, 2016. Ms. Newman devoted her career to fundraising for many nonprofit organizations, especially animal welfare and animal rescue groups, which were her passion. She was a senior account executive at Fund Raising Strategies, Inc., in McLean, Virginia, where she raised more than $47.5 million for clients across the nation, including Habitat for Horses, Tiger Haven, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, Noah’s Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary and Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue. She received numerous awards in recognition of her innovation and creativity, including several Data & Marketing Association International ECHO Awards and numerous MAXI Awards from the Direct Marketing Association of Washington. Ms. Newman was the daughter of Bert D. Weiss (Col ’39). Survivors include her son.

Cecile Etiennette Forgeat Noble (Grad ’74) of Richmond, Virginia, died January 14, 2017. Born in France, she met her husband while he was mobilized with the 498th Heavy Infantry Group in 1944. They married in 1945 near Paris, France, and moved to Richmond the next year. She received her master’s degree from the University of Richmond in 1968 and her doctorate from UVA in 1974. Ms. Noble was a Girl Scout troop leader, founding two different troops. She also served as a volunteer with the Red Cross, teaching canoeing, swimming and water safety. In addition, she taught French part-time at St. Gertrude’s High School and John Marshall High School. She started teaching French full time at Richmond Professional Institute and retired from VCU in 1993. Ms. Noble loved to teach French and wrote articles for the French Review as well as tutoring students. She also enjoyed playing bridge at the Richmond Bridge League, folk dancing, and volunteering at the International Food Festival and the French Film Festival. Survivors include three daughters, two sons, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Debra Saunders-White (Col ’79 L/M) of Durham, North Carolina, died November 26, 2016. She was one of 90 African-American students to enter the University in 1975, where she served as a resident adviser and president of Black Student Alliance and was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. In 1979, she was honored with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. She went on to earn an M.B.A. from the College of William & Mary in 1993 and a doctorate in higher education administration from George Washington University in 2004. Ms. Saunders-White spent 15 years at IBM, mostly in marketing. She then taught math at a private school in Providence, Rhode Island, for several years. In 1999, she joined Hampton University as assistant provost for technology. In 2005, she was promoted to the new post of vice president for technology and chief information officer. She would go on to join the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, as vice chancellor for information technology systems and then chief diversity officer and interim associate provost in the office of institutional diversity and inclusion. Ms. Saunders-White was chancellor of North Carolina Central University from 2013 until her death. She also served as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Education beginning in May 2011, where she oversaw more than 60 programs devoted to strengthening the capacity of minority-serving institutions and helping recruit and prepare disadvantaged students to finish college successfully. Survivors include her mother; three brothers; a son, Cecil White III (Com ’15); and a daughter.