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In Memoriam | Summer 2018

In Memoriam: 1980s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Helen Pendleton Leavy (Grad ’80) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died March 13, 2018. She was a creative, caring and energetic nurse, and she loved the outdoors.  Survivors include her husband, Brian; and two sisters.


Peter A. Stark (Educ ’83 L/M) of Charlottesville died Oct. 10, 2017. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1952, Mr. Stark embarked on a 27-year career, during which time he commanded the USS Julius A. Furer, aided the Mercury astronaut recovery teams, and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. His time in the Navy culminated with four years as a commanding officer in the University’s Naval ROTC unit, which he considered to be one of his most fulfilling jobs. After retiring from the Navy in 1979, he worked for Ernest Ern in the University’s Student Affairs Office, where he spent 14 years. In both the Navy and at the University, he was passionate about shaping young men and women into leaders. After retirement, Mr. Stark volunteered at the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program. He also enjoyed golf and woodworking, traveling with his wife, Barbara, and spending time with his granddaughters. One of his proudest moments was when he and his son Jeff received UVA degrees on the same day and walked the Lawn together in the pouring rain. Donations can be made to the Capt. Stark Memorial Fund at UVA, which will recognize the top NROTC midshipman each year. Survivors include three sons, including Jeffrey Stark (Arch ’83 L/M) and Christopher Stark (Engr ’87); four granddaughters; and two brothers.


Lisa Kay Blake (Col ’85 L/M) of Raleigh, North Carolina, died Jan. 14, 2018. After working for WUVA as a student, Ms. Blake went on to spend more than 30 years in the radio business as an on-air personality and executive. She rose to vice president of programming for Curtis Media in Raleigh, where she earned three CMA Awards for best country music station in a major market. She was posthumously elected to the Country Radio Hall of Fame. To her many fans she was known as Lisa McKay of Richmond’s WRVQ and later the Raleigh station WQDR.  Survivors include her longtime companion, William Campbell; her sister; and her father.


John Millar (Com ’85 L/M) of Oxshott, Surrey, England, died Oct. 12, 2017. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He worked for the investment bank Kidder Peabody after graduation and opened the company’s Sydney office in the 1980s. After earning an MBA at Stanford, he worked for Merrill Lynch in New York City for a year before moving to London, where he switched from investment banking to equity capital markets. He spent a decade as head of equity syndicate in Europe beginning in 1995. Mr. Millar retired in 2005 to spend time with his family, including children Cameron and Patrick, and to perfect his woodworking skills, but he rejoined Merrill Lynch 15 months later. He spent two stints with Noble, now known as Espirito Santo Investment Bank, spending time with Citigroup in between, but he was most recently the global head of primary markets with the London Stock Exchange Group. Mr. Millar was known in the industry for his integrity, humility and sense of humor. In his free time, he enjoyed shooting and hiking. Survivors include his wife, Gretchen; a daughter; and a son.