In Memoriam: 1980s
Notices sorted by graduation date
P. Mark Tyler (Col ’80) of Lancaster County, Virginia, died Aug. 3, 2020. At UVA, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu, to which he contributed time and energy long after his graduation. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics and foreign affairs, topics he loved to debate. He was an out-of-the-box thinker and enjoyed advancing difficult positions for the sheer intellectual and devilish joy. He spent time becoming well-versed in the stock and bond markets, supporting himself through his trading activities. He lived on his sailboat for a number of years before settling down in Lancaster County. He eventually became a science teacher for Lancaster and Richmond counties in Virginia, and is fondly remembered by many of his students, some keeping in touch with him throughout their lives. He was married and divorced before he met his partner, Mary Wheeler, with whom he remained the rest of his life. He is survived by Mary, two sisters, and his mother.
Charles Brenham Allen IV (Com ’81 CM) of Dallas, died July 18, 2020. After studying at UVA, he went on to receive his MBA from Columbia University in 1985. He worked at Paine Webber in New York City for several years before moving to Dallas and working for Noel David Pullam Garden Design through the rest of his life. Mr. Allen attained the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth, and was involved in charitable work in both New York and Dallas, spending many years volunteering for the Resource Center of Dallas. He was highly intelligent, engaging, and a loving partner, cousin and uncle with an infectious laugh. He was a doting “Uncle Charlie” to his nieces and nephews and faithfully sent them hilarious birthday cards and lottery cards, and checked in with them regularly. Survivors include his partner, Fred Seufert, and three cousins.
Michael Peter Mannion (Com ’81 CM) of St. Louis, died May 11, 2019. He earned his law degree from St. Louis University and a Master of Laws from Washington University. He was past president of the St. Louis Swarm, a professional basketball team, and the St. Louis Steamers, a professional soccer team. He was named to the St. Louis Business Journal Forty Under Forty list for his success in law and sports. He was the sole practitioner of the Mannion Law Firm. Mr. Mannion had a love of life and lived large. He was passionate about family, friends, sports and travel. A coach and avid fan of all of his girls’ pursuits, he taught them to win with humility and lose with grace. Despite his many health setbacks, he lived every day to the fullest. Survivors include his wife, Ellen; children Meredith, Gracie and Olivia; and brother Grant Williams (Col ’81).
Arthur Sanderson “Sander” Paul (Engr ’81) of St. David, Grenada, died June 22, 2020. After growing up in Grenada, he joined two of his brothers in Washington, D.C., where he graduated from Howard University’s School of Engineering before earning a doctorate in systems engineering from UVA. Committed to a life of service, Mr. Paul co-founded AGI, a minority-owned engineering firm that helped jump-start the careers of many young Black engineers. After his tenure as president of AGI, he continued as a professor of engineering at Howard, where he went on to become associate provost of research. In this role, he helped secure millions of dollars in grants to help fund Black scientists and their research. Mr. Paul made equally remarkable strides in the small business community, and in 1986 was awarded Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year. He was recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987 and, in the same year, was highlighted by President Ronald Reagan in a commencement speech at Tuskegee University. In 1988, the United Black Fund honored Mr. Paul as one of 12 Newsmakers during its inaugural Newsmakers Ball. Once retired, Dr. Paul returned to his beloved Grenada, where he started a small farm and, with his wife, tutored children and established a small awards fund for students. Survivors include his wife, Mae; children Errol and Candace; three brothers and five sisters.
Charles T. “Tim” Gillet (Grad ’82 CM) of Charlottesville died Aug. 11, 2020. A native of Detroit, he graduated from Western Michigan University. After working as a CPA in the private sector, he moved to UVA, where he held several positions in financial management and eventually served as assistant vice president of finance. While in these positions, Mr. Gillet helped oversee the completion of major projects and the implementation of several major financial and accounting systems that were critical to the financial growth of the University. Active in the Charlottesville community, he served on the board of the UVA Community Credit Union for 38 years, including as treasurer and on the finance and executive committees. He also served as treasurer of the board of The Arc of the Piedmont for many years. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Robinson (Col ’84); daughters Jennifer and Leslie; two granddaughters; and a great-grandson.
Nicholas Gus “Nick” Costas (Col ’83 CM) of Richmond, Virginia, died July 22, 2020. At UVA, he was a member of Zeta Psi and Eli Banana. He began his career at Sovran Bank, working in Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, Virginia, before moving to New York to work in the fixed-income group at J.P. Morgan. He moved to Richmond in 1990 and worked as senior vice president at Craigie Inc. Mr. Costas was passionate about his children and coached little league baseball and girls’ basketball. He and his daughter also founded the Richmond Angels, a lacrosse league for low-income girls. Mr. Costas served on the board of the Virginia Athletics Foundation and was a dedicated member of his Greek Orthodox church, where he volunteered with countless ministries and the annual Greek Festival. He loved nothing more than driving to Charlottesville to watch the Wahoos play football and basketball and stopping at the Riverside for a burger. He was predeceased by his father, Gus Costas (Col ’46). Survivors include his children, Nicholas and Eliza Costas (Col ’17); brother, George Gus Costas III (Col ’80 CM); a sister and his mother.
Meredith P. “Merrie” Nelson (Col ’87 CM) of New York City died June 7, 2020. She majored in English at UVA. She spent her career as a newspaper and magazine writer and copy editor. Survivors include her sister, Alison E. Nelson (Col ’80 CM); a brother; and five nieces and nephews.