In Memoriam: 1980s
Notices sorted by graduation date
Elizabeth Schiller Friedman (Col ’81 CM) of Chicago died June 23, 2023. She earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from UVA. She continued her education at the University of Chicago, where she earned her master’s and doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. She also held a master’s degree in maritime civilizations from the University of Haifa in Israel. She pursued a career in higher education while maintaining her connections to academic research. She served as program manager and then director of professional master’s programs at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she also taught as an adjunct professor in anthropology. She co-founded the National Professional Science Master’s Association and later served as its president. At the time of her death, she was Visiting Facilitator for Faculty Engagement in STEM Educational Initiatives at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She was predeceased by her father, Peter Schiller (Col ’42 CM). Survivors include her husband, Alon; her daughter, Hadas; her mother; four siblings, including John Schiller (Col ’79 CM); and nine nieces and nephews, including Jessica Breese Beringer (Com ’10, Law ’14 CM).
Stephen Joseph Kennedy (Col ’82 CM) of Lynnwood, Washington, died June 24, 2023. After earning his bachelor’s in government from UVA, he obtained his law degree from Harvard Law School. He practiced law in Seattle for 36 years, first as a civil litigator and as a partner at Ater Wynne, before establishing his own law firm and expanding his practice to include dispute resolution. He handled a broad range of matters, from a patent dispute for a Norwegian shipbuilding company to repatriating pre-Colombian artifacts to Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology. He volunteered for organizations including Big Brothers of America and Volunteers of America of Western Washington. He enjoyed traveling with his family, Mozart operas and Irish ballads. Survivors include his wife, Aimee, two daughters, a stepdaughter, four siblings, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
James “Jim” Britt O’Connell (Engr class of ’83) of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Jaco, Costa Rica, died Sept. 14, 2023. While studying computer science at UVA’s engineering school, he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. He began his career as a software engineer with Westinghouse in Hunt Valley, Maryland, before returning to Charlottesville to work for Sperry Marine. He then founded Stairway Software, the developer of Screen Extender for WordPerfect. After closing Stairway Software, he led Regent University’s implementation of distance learning as program manager and system architect. He was subsequently recruited by IBM as a program manager and customer advocate. A sports enthusiast, he enjoyed skiing in Colorado and surfing in Costa Rica, where he retired in 2016. Survivors include his parents, two sisters, and six nieces and nephews, including Ian Flatt (Col class of ’12).
Stephen Edward McLaughlin (Arch ’85 CM) of Silver Spring, Maryland, died March 25, 2023. He attended UVA on a Navy ROTC scholarship and spent four years as a surface warfare officer upon graduation. After his military service, he went on to earn a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Louisiana State University. He worked on contract with the U.S. Department of State before resigning in 2020. Survivors include his wife, Sophia, his parents and his brother.
Paul Reimers (Com ’85 CM) of Leesburg, Virginia, died July 30, 2022. He received his bachelor’s in finance from UVA before founding his business, PR Construction & Development Inc., in 1985. He built hundreds of custom homes in Leesburg and the surrounding areas. He was a founding member and served as president of the Partnership for Clean Water and Education and was a longstanding member of the Leesburg Board of Architectural Review. He was also a member of the Explorers Club, a professional society dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration and resource conservation. An avid traveler, he loved outdoor activities including climbing, hiking, fishing, skiing and rafting. Survivors include his sisters, Christine Reimers (Col ’83 CM) and Ruth Reimers Webb (Col class of ’89); his parents; and three sons.