In Memoriam: 1940s
Notices sorted by graduation date
Dr. Harold S. Yood (Col ’40, Med ’43 CM) of Plainfield, New Jersey, died June 12, 2021. After graduating from UVA’s medical school, he served as a medical officer in the U.S. Army during World War II, seeing action in the Battle of the Bulge and receiving a Purple Heart, three battle stars and one arrowhead. After the war, he returned to his hometown of Plainfield, where he practiced medicine for 44 years. He was on the Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center staff and served as chief of medicine and president of the medical staff for six years. Dr. Yood served in numerous civic organizations, including on the boards of the Union County Medical Society and the United Way of Plainfield–Fanwood and Union County. An avid sports fan, he followed UVA in every sport, and was incredibly proud of the 2019 men’s basketball national championship. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen Yood (Nurs ’40 CM), whom he met at UVA, and a daughter. Survivors include three children; two grandchildren, including Jill Herskovitz Patterson (Col ’93 CM); and five great-grandchildren.
George S. Vest (Col ’41, Grad ’47) of Bethesda, Maryland, died Aug. 24, 2021. A World War II combat veteran, he developed an interest in foreign affairs while serving in Italy as a forward artillery observer in the U.S. Army. He joined the Foreign Service in 1947 and, after a posting in Ecuador, thought he would become a specialist in Latin American affairs. However, an unexpected assignment to Paris in 1959 as a political adviser to the supreme Allied commander in Europe led him to focus on Cold War diplomacy. He had several assignments with NATO and in 1969 became acting head of the U.S. mission at NATO headquarters in Brussels. In 1973, he was chosen as chief negotiator in preparatory talks for the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in Helsinki. His efforts helped lay the groundwork for the Helsinki Accords, which reduced tensions between the Soviet and Western blocs by recognizing the inviolability of post–World War II frontiers in Europe. The 35 signatory nations also pledged to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and cooperate in economic, scientific and other areas. Vest served as State Department spokesman under Henry Kissinger and later as his top adviser on political and military affairs. He served as U.S. ambassador to the European Union from 1981 to 1985 and finished his Foreign Service career as director general, in charge of recruiting, hiring and training the country’s diplomats. In retirement, he was a consultant to the Akin Gump law firm in Washington and volunteered as a reading tutor in Washington, D.C., schools. He was predeceased by his wife, Emily Clemons Vest, and a daughter. Survivors include two sons and two granddaughters.
Louise Aylor Montague (Nurs ’42) of Lynchburg, Virginia, died Jan. 21, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Benjamin Franklin Montague (Col ’42, Med ’44 CM), with whom she loved camping and hiking, and made many trips across Canada and the United States. She also loved bird-watching and reading U.S. history. Survivors include niece Carol Aylor Martin (Col ’74, Grad ’76) and nephews Oscar Aylor (Col ’62 CM), Stanton Aylor Jr. (Com ’66 CM), Joseph Aylor Jr. (Col ’70) and John Lewis Aylor (Col ’77).
Ann Jones Wood (Educ ’45) of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, died May 22, 2021. After earning her bachelor’s degree, the Charlottesville native began working at the Virginia Textile Co. In 1948 she married her high school sweetheart, James. They raised their four children in Texas, Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia and Pennsylvania, where she lived for 52 years. She was a member of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and P.E.O. Chapter M, completing a two-year presidency for her P.E.O. chapter in 1975. Ms. Wood also served on the Women’s Auxiliary of Pennsylvania Hospital for more than 20 years. She orchestrated many functions involved with her husband’s medical and university associations. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed bridge, knitting, golf and travel. Survivors include four children, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Dr. M. Lee Williams (Med ’47 CM) of Irvington, Virginia, died April 26, 2021. He lived on the Lawn at UVA, was managing editor of Corks & Curls, and was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Eli Banana and IMP societies. After graduating from medical school, he served in the U.S. Navy and later served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War, receiving a letter of commendation for his care and treatment of the wounded. He returned to Johns Hopkins Hospital as chief resident in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. After his residency, he remained at Hopkins in charge of the teaching program at the department for 17 years. He received teaching appointments as a part-time assistant professor and later as associate professor emeritus, serving on the staff for 45 years. Dr. Williams also served as chief of otolaryngology at Union Memorial Hospital and helped establish the Hopkins Facial Rehabilitation Clinic. He worked at other hospitals as a consultant and on the medical team of the Baltimore Colts for 16 years. One of his greatest pleasures was teaching his children and grandchildren to fish and sail. He enjoyed racing with his sons in regattas and, at age 77, won his yacht club’s single-hand racer of the year award, sailing alone in his 24-foot Raven sloop, Poe Bird. He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Katherine Ryland Williams, and his son Dr. Howard S. Williams (Med ’84 CM). Survivors include four children, two stepchildren, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.