In Memoriam: 1990s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Addison Davis Dodd (Col ’93) of Lynchburg, Virginia, and The Hague, Netherlands, died May 26, 2016. At the University, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, he moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he was a real estate professional. In 2005, he joined his future husband in The Hague, where they became registered partners and Mr. Dodd earned a master’s degree in English and American literature at Leiden University. Survivors include his husband; his parents; a sister; and three brothers, including Jarrett Spencer Dodd (Col ’88 L/M) and Jason E. Dodd (Col ’89 L/M).

James Paul Akowski (Grad ’94) of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, died July 27, 2015. He began his career in biological research, working at the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Washington State University and Argonne National Laboratory. He later worked in information technology as a network security specialist with UUNET/WorldCom. His last position was as assistant Linux system administrator with Advocap in Fond du Lac. Survivors include his mother and a brother.

Todd Allen Phillips (Engr ’94 L/M) of Richmond, Virginia, died June 17, 2016. He began his career as a nuclear power plant operator for Dominion Virginia Power. He began coaching boys’ basketball at Mills E. Godwin High School in 1991 and, in 2003, became a math teacher there. He founded and directed the school’s specialty center for medical sciences and received a number of teaching awards, including Godwin High School’s PTSA Teacher of the Year Award and Henrico County Public Schools’ Gilman Teacher of the Year Award. Well-known for his love of Star Wars, Mr. Phillips participated in the school’s variety show every year and encouraged students to “embrace their inner nerd.” Survivors include his wife, Kelly Wycall Phillips (Engr ’89); two sons, including Todd W. Phillips (Engr ’14); his parents; and a sister.

Jason H. Robinson (Col ’96) of Hampton, Virginia, died May 4, 2016. At the University, he was a member of the football team. He worked as a football coach and a high school teacher in the Hampton Roads area. At the time of his death, he was a science teacher at Heritage High School and the offensive coordinator for the Grafton High School football team. He also founded Revvsports, a consulting firm that assisted high school football players with the college recruiting process. Survivors include a daughter, his parents and two sisters.

Ross Elliot Freeland (Engr ’97 L/M) of Evanston, Illinois, died March 14, 2016. He worked as a supply chain consultant for i2 Technologies in Chicago from 1998 until 2001. He later earned his teaching certificate and worked as a substitute teacher at Evanston Township High School from 2001 until 2003, when he was hired as a math teacher. He was also assistant coach of the school’s baseball team and part owner and senior head counselor at Camp Highlands for Boys, an overnight camp in Wisconsin. A mentor to many students, Mr. Freeland was known for his humility and optimism. Survivors include his wife; a son; a sister; his mother; and his father, James R. Freeland, professor in the Darden School.