Virginia Tech® home

In Memory | Lest We Forget

JAMES PORTER BAKER ’54   

1931 – 2025

Dr. James “Jim” Baker died Jan. 27. He completed his undergraduate studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, was selected “Campus Man of the Year 1954,” and was an alumnus of the German Club. After graduating from the MCV School of Medicine, Dr. Baker served in the active military from 1959 to 1964 and was the attending physician when President John F. Kennedy lay in state in 1963. After 1964, Dr. Baker served in the Navy Reserve and was activated for Operation Desert Storm. He retired as a Navy captain in 1991. He served as the president of the National Board of Medical Directors and was a long-time supporter of Virginia Tech, the Corps, and Hokie Athletics. Dr. Baker’s survivors include his wife, Pat; three sons: David, Dan, and Steve; five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.   

 

THOMAS TYLER THOMPSON ’56   

1934 - 2024  

Maj. Gen. Thomas “Tommy” Tyler Thompson died Oct. 15, 2024. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a degree in agricultural economics. He was a cadet colonel and a member of the German Club. After college, he served on active duty in the U.S. Army in Korea and remained in the U.S. Army as a Virginia-Maryland National Guard officer, later activated during Operation Desert Storm. He retired after 36 years of combined service, and he worked in real estate sales and development for over 50 years. Thompson is survived by his wife, Rebecca “Becky”, son Thomas and daughter Alisa, stepchildren Kathy, Laura, Susan, and four grandchildren.

 

JAMES SIDNEY KENNAN ’59

1937 – 2025

James “Jim” Kennan died Jan. 23. He graduated in 1959 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and was commissioned in the U.S. Army. He served in the intelligence field and received numerous commendations and medals during his twenty-year career in the military and in government work. Upon retirement from the military, Jim served in the UVA Health System for 25 years. He also supported and led non-profits, including the United Way of Greater Charlottesville. Jim is proceeded in death by his wife, Elizabeth (Betsy), parents Ernest and Virginia, and brother Ralph. He leaves behind his daughters Anne and Beth, and a large extended family to cherish his memory.

 

LAWRENCE LARKINS KOONTZ JR. ’61   

1940 – 2025

Lawrence L. Koontz died March 16. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1961 and later received his law degree from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. After graduation, he served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney and in private practice. Koontz served at every level of court in the Virginia judicial system before his election to the Supreme Court of Virginia in 1995. His judicial career spanned 57 years. He is survived by his wife, Eberle, his children, John and Anne, nine grandchildren, and sister, Margaret Coles.

 

K. REED SCHWEIKERT JR. ’63

1940 – 2025

Reed Schweickert died Feb. 28. In the Corps, he served as an officer of the Cotillion Club and the secretary of the Class of 1963. After graduation, he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Professionally, he formed The Reed Schweickert Company and joined Herff Jones to provide high schools in Virginia with class rings and caps and gowns for over 40 years. Reed was a lifelong supporter of Virginia Tech, the Corps, Virginia Tech athletics, the Virginia Tech business school, and charities and organizations in Powhatan, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Gail, daughter Susan, son-in-law Jay, five grandchildren, daughter in-law Jacqueline, brother Robert Schweickert, and sister-in-law Georganne.

 

WILLIAM HOOVER SWAN ’66   

1945 – 2024

William “Bill” Hoover Swan died Nov. 17, 2024. He received his bachelor's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a master's in business administration from the University of Utah. His served in the U. S. Air Force from 1966 to 1996, retiring as a colonel. As a civilian, Swan worked for the Air Force and the Army for 30 years. He was active in the National Contract Management Association for 43 years. He is survived by his wife Deborah, stepson John, stepdaughter Teresa, and two granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hilma, and his grandparents, Harry and Julia Sturdyvin.  

 

ROBERT CRAIG LOWERRE ’89    

1967 – 2025

Robert “Bob” Craig Lowerre died Feb. 23. He completed his undergraduate work at Virginia Tech, majoring in political science and history, proudly serving as the commander of the Highty-Tighties. Bob received a Ph.D in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, later shaping the future of education at three different high schools.  He served as the director of the Maggie Walker Governor’s School in Richmond, Virginia.  Bob is survived by his wife, Tracy, father Robert, daughter Madison and her husband Mike, son Thomas HT '20 and wife Nicole; and his dog, Nora. He also leaves behind his sister, Mary; sister-in-law Debra and husband Mark, and his cherished nieces and nephews. 

 

LEST WE FORGET

 

Curtis D. Givens ’45, Martinsville, Virginia, 5/3/2025

Robert T. Gordon ’46, Lynchburg, Virginia, 12/24/2024

James A. Houghton ’46, Henrico, Virginia, 3/12/2025

Samuel H. Levine ’46, Ft Myers Beach, Florida, 12/15/2024

John W. Boyd ’47, Saratoga, California, 2/20/2025

Reps O. Robertson ’47, Huntington, West Virginia, 4/3/2025

Raymond H. Schumacher ’47, Milford, Ohio, 12/10/2024

Joseph E. Montalbano ’48, Lutherville Timonium, Maryland, 4/5/2025

John L. Brammer ’50, Quinton, Virginia, 12/9/2024

Benjamin H. Vester ’50, Ellicott City, Maryland, 11/11/2024

Charles R. Whitt ’50, Suwanee, Georgia, 4/29/2025

Edward M. Williams ’50, Virginia Beach, Virginia,4/6/2025

John E. Lastovica ’51, Lake Jackson, Texas, 12/1/2024

Jack M. Patteson ’51, Charlottesville, Virginia, 10/4/2024

Robert D. Price ’51, Burlington, North Carolina, 11/11/2024

Richard C. Quesenberry ’51, Blacksburg, Virginia, 10/29/2024

Harrison R. Tyler ’51, Charles City, Virginia, 5/25/2025

Daniel W. Cheatham ’52, Brookneal, Virginia, 11/7/2024

Bransby W. Bushey ’53, Audubon, Pennsylvania, 2/11/2025

John E. Fox ’53, Capron, Virginia, 1/10/2025

William T. Fox ’53, Capron, Virginia, 3/8/2025

Vernon R. Jones ’53, Orange, Virginia, 1/17/2025

Millard L. Lemon ’53, North Chesterfield, Virginia, 1/1/2025

Edgar P. Odenwalder ’53, Dickinson, Texas, 11/2/2024

Ray A. Robertson ’53, Severna Park, Maryland, 10/26/2024

Robert K. Wormald ’53, Potomac, Maryland, 11/30/2024

John W. Brennan ’54, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 3/16/2025

Leon A. Clay ’54, Morehead City, North Carolina, 12/19/2024

Bradford N. Douglas ’54, Catlett, Virginia, 10/10/2024

John T. Frasier ’54, Bowie, Maryland, 1/10/2025

Wallace C. Lawrence ’54, Beaufort, North Carolina, 6/3/2025

Jerry Bowen ’55, Blue Ride, Virginia, 05/22/2025

George F. Coleman ’55, Lynchburg, Virginia, 05/31/2025

Boyd C. Deaner ’55, Matthews, North Carolina, 3/14/2025

Arthur L. Eller ’55, Blacksburg, Virginia, 10/21/2024

David W. Leonard ’55, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2/18/2025

Denwood T. Milby ’55, Charlottesville, Virginia, 11/20/2024

Robert E. Stacey ’55, Gambrills, Maryland, 12/7/2024

William C. Trenary ’55, Front Royal, Virginia, 10/13/2024

John M. Webster ’55, Odessa, Florida, 1/12/2025

James P. Augustine ’56, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1/21/2025

Maxey L. Bryant ’56, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 12/14/2024

William L. Burton ’56, Manassas, Virginia, 12/11/2024

Gerald O. Clemens ’56, Salem, Virginia, 12/26/2024

Donald B. Goodrich ’56, Petaluma, California, 1/31/2025

C. D. Harman ’56, Atlanta, Georgia, 5/7/2025

Charles E. Leslie ’56, Vinton, Virginia, 12/19/2024

R. Leroy Light ’56, Bristol, Virginia, 5/8/2025

McIvor L. Parker ’56, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1/20/2025

Phillip W. Unger ’56, Daleville, Virginia, 12/30/2024

Robert W. Bowles ’57, Salem, Virginia, 1/17/2025

Wilmot J. Brown ’57, Midlothian, Virginia, 2/13/2025

Paul F. Crawford ’57, Rocky Mount, Virginia, 12/9/2024

Thomas C. Matthews ’57, Martinsville, Virginia, 1/8/2025

Stephen H. Miller ’57, Heathsville, Virginia, 1/1/2025

Donald V. Otey ’57, King George, Virginia, 11/20/2024

Charles P. Quesenberry ’57, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2/15/2025

Frank B. Reid ’57, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 10/20/2024

Obed A. Spady, ’57, Chesapeake, Virginia, 1/15/2025

Clarence K. Spruill ’57, Midlothian, Virginia, 12/28/2024

David W. Abbott ’58, South Point, Ohio, 11/10/2024

Edward E. Agee ’58, Columbus, Georgia, 2/3/2025

Douglas C. Dillon ’58, Stuart, Florida, 4/22/2025

Claiborne R. Hicks ’58, Alexandria, Virginia, 5/28/2025

Charles S. Hughes ’58, Charlottesville, Virginia, 4/27/2025

Reynolds G. Lynch ’58, Roanoke, Virginia, 10/12/2024

Richard C. Noakes ’58, Spotsylvania, Virginia, 10/27/2024

Dorsey B. Smith ’58, Tucson, Arizona, 10/21/2024

Ernest V. Acree ’59, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 4/9/2025

Robert C. Gibson ’59, Blacksburg, Virginia, 2/20/2025

Thomas B. Guthrie ’59, Annapolis, Maryland, 5/15/2025

Alvin R. Hardy ’59, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 10/5/2024

Kenneth R. Lape ’59, Stuart, Florida, 12/2/2024

William H. Moore ’59, Savannah, Georgia, 11/6/2024

Ellwood L. Owen ’59, Mechanicsville, Virginia, 2/10/2025

Bobby E. Spiers ’59, Bellville, Texas, 1/5/2025

Joseph B. Wright ’59, Roanoke, Virginia, 2/1/2025

William C. Bourne ’60, Jackson, Wyoming, 4/23/2025

Wilton D. Bradshaw ’60, Suffolk, Virginia, 12/13/2024

James H. Burke ’60, Derwood, Maryland, 12/23/2024

Wickliffe L. Cobb ’60, Tappahannock, Virginia, 2/3/2025

Gerald Cook ’60, Fairfax, Virginia, 11/17/2024

Leo R. Dickson ’60, League City, Texas, 4/19/2025

John A. Hoffman ’60, Richmond, Virginia, 1/1/2025

Joseph A. Hopkins ’60, Mobile, Alabama, 4/9/2025

Elbert R. Humphrey ’60, Stafford, Virginia, 2/28/2025

James F. Johnson ’60, Roanoke, Virginia, 1/5/2025

John G. Mitchell ’60, Raleigh, North Carolina, 11/5/2024

Nathaniel S. Payne ’60, West Point, Georgia, 4/5/2025

Clifford N. Rosen ’60, Columbia, South Carolina, 3/20/2025

William A. Turner ’60, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1/20/2025

William D. Zirkle ’60, Edinburg, Virginia, 1/31/2025

Randall C. Blankenship ’61, New Castle, Virginia, 1/29/2025

Donald R. Bluth ’61, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 10/10/2024

James L. Douthat ’61, Signal Mountain, Tennessee, 11/17/2024

Nelson L. Fegley ’61, Bumpass, Virginia, 2/28/2025

Thomas V. House ’61, Pensacola, Florida, 3/5/2025

Bobby L. Lilly ’61, Elkton, Virginia, 1/15/2025

Donald S. Oakes ’61, Roanoke, Virginia, 3/29/2025

Thomas D. Poole ’61, Port Charlotte, Florida, 3/29/2025

Paul M. Siemers ’61, Hunt, Texas, 1/20/2025

Daniel L. Wertz ’61, Roanoke, Virginia, 5/14/2025

Julian W. Craig ’62, Salem, Virginia, 12/2/2024

Larry G. Fitzpatrick ’62, Marion, Virginia, 11/27/2024

George E. Krajnak ’62, Athens, Ohio, 12/4/2024

Donald L. Schweitzer ’62, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 2/3/2025

Raymond G. Tessmer, Jr. ‘62, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 04/27/2025  

Raymond A. Vaiksnoras ’62, Aiken, South Carolina, 3/4/2025

William H. Wagner ’62, Suffolk, Virginia, 1/18/2025

Charles C. Youell ’62, Lynchburg, Virginia, 3/4/2025

Richard M. Davis ’63, Tehachapi, California, 2/8/2025

Frank S. Givens ’63, Camillus, New York, 2/20/2025

Robert E. Harry ’63, Roaring Gap, North Carolina, 05/17/2025

John T. Huzzard ’63, Fairfax Station, Virginia, 1/18/2025

William L. Morris ’63, Hereford, Arizona, 12/26/2024

Richard E. Smith ’63, Mooresville, North Carolina, 11/22/2024

Gary H. Spiers ’63, Staunton, Virginia, 2/10/2025

Samuel W. Lee ’64, Midlothian, Virginia, 5/26/2025

John T. Sprenkle ’64, Southport, North Carolina, 3/16/2025

Wilson L. Throckmorton ’64, Wicomico Church, Virginia, 3/17/2025

Claude D. Groves ’65, Naperville, Illinois, 1/22/2025

Grover A. Josey ’65, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 11/10/2024

James J. Kail ’65, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 3/2/2025

Malcolm H. McGregor ’65, Louisa, Virginia, 4/2/2025

Charles B. Swayne ’65, Christiansburg, Virginia, 12/28/2024

Henry L. Wyatt ’65, Lynchburg, Virginia, 3/30/2025

Arthur W. Yates ’65, Charlotte, North Carolina, 11/22/2024

Robert N. Bates ’66, Panama City Beach, Florida, 11/21/2024

Hugh W. Bradley ’66, Irmo, South Carolina, 12/11/2024

Robert S. Corbitt ’66, Houston, Texas, 1/14/2025

Wilson L. Dickerson ’66, Altavista, Virginia, 12/4/2024

Thomas H. Mehnert ’66, Waynesboro, Virginia, 2/13/2025

James L. Poole ’66, Youngstown, New York, 11/1/2024

John F. Sheehy ’66, Rileyville, Virginia, 12/15/2024

Howard G. Sholl ’66, Wilmington, Delaware, 12/19/2024

James T. Turner ’66, Mason, Ohio, 2/21/2025

Robert R. Fife ’67, Bluefield, Virginia, 11/6/2024

Michael C. Knight ’67, Charlottesville, Virginia, 04/30/2025

Charles D. Sands ’67, Henrico, Virginia, 3/30/2025

C. P. Senn ’67, Fairfield, Virginia, 4/5/2025

Oliver S. Woody ’67, Radford, Virginia, 5/30/2025

Thomas E. Burdette ’68, Kingston, Tennessee, 1/17/2025

Robert H. Shelton ’68, Elkins, West Virginia, 10/28/2024

John R. Miller ’69, Henrico, Virginia, 10/22/2024

John F. Judd ’70, Brownsburg, Indiana, 3/6/2025

William M. Sample ’70, Denver, North Carolina, 11/21/2024

David M. Smith ’70, North Chesterfield, Virginia, 3/15/2025

Frank S. Williams ’70, Madison, Georgia, 10/17/2024

George L. Fortwengler ’71, Burke, Virginia, 12/27/2024

Michael E. Laing ’71, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 10/19/2024

William F. Kirchner ’72, Lexington, Virginia, 3/11/2025

Timothy R. Bollo ’73, Cocoa Beach, Florida, 2/28/2025

Charles I. Bondurant ’73, Kingwood, Texas, 2/2/2025

Stephen C. Maguigan ’73, New Market, Virginia, 10/28/2024

Guy A. Woolman ’73, Midlothian, Texas, 1/24/2025

William F. Edmonson ’75, Middletown, Virginia, 2/20/2025

Glenn C. Allen ’76, South Hill, Virginia, 1/29/2025

Frederick B. Hoffman ’85, Stafford, Virginia, 3/13/2025

William J. Christie ’96, Spirit Lake, Iowa, 2/15/2025

Scott D. Lippert ’00, Edina, Minnesota, 3/1/2025