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In Memoriam | Spring 2023

In Memoriam: 1960s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Dr. Robert Milton Miles (Col ’64 CM) of Lynchburg, Virginia, died Oct. 2, 2022. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a pediatrician and chief of pediatrics at Lajes Field Air Base in Portugal. Prior to his military service, he studied at UVA, where he was a Lawn resident and a member of Alpha Chi Sigma professional fraternity. He also completed medical school, an internship and residency at Medical College of Virginia. He joined a pediatric practice in Roanoke for seven years before completing a fellowship in allergy and immunology at the Mayo Clinic. He then moved to Lynchburg, where he established and maintained an allergy and immunology practice until his retirement in 2007. He served as president of the Southeastern Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society from 1990 to 1991 and president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology from 1998 to 1999. He enjoyed gardening and was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bonnie, two sons and four grandchildren.


Albert Ritchie (Law ’64 CM) of Knoxville, Tennessee, died Oct. 12, 2022. He served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army and rose to captain from 1965 to 1967. At UVA, he was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Raven Society, as well as editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review. He was an attorney with Sidley, Austin, Burgess & Smith (now Sidley Austin LLP) in Chicago from 1964 until his retirement in 1999. He served as president of the Lawyers Club of Chicago, chairman of the Chicago Legal Aid Bureau and president of the UVA Law School Alumni Association. He loved his dogs, playing tennis, a good murder mystery and cheering for the Cubs and all UVA sports. Survivors include his wife, Jennie; brother John Ritchie (Col ’54); children John Ritchie (Col ’90 CM) and Mary Ritchie Miller (Col ’95, Law ’00 CM); four grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews, including Sarah Conrad (Col ’97 CM) and Thomas Ritchie (Darden ’02, Law ’02 CM).


Ronald Dean Depew (Darden ’66 CM) of Phoenix, Arizona, died June 14, 2022. While earning his M.B.A. at Darden, he was on the honor roll. After receiving his degree, he spent many years in banking before becoming a business owner of Birkdale Corp. In his free time, he enjoyed golf, sailing and driving his convertible. He also regularly visited his son, who lived in a group home for special needs adults in Tucson. Survivors include two children, including Lisa Redding (Col ’92 CM), and 10 grandchildren.


Michael L. Laughlin (Com ’66 CM) of Aiken, South Carolina, died May 26, 2022. At UVA, he was a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity. He later attended the University of South Carolina School of Law but withdrew to pursue politics. In 1968, he was elected to represent South Carolina in the state senate. He was also a businessman engaged in aviation, radio broadcasting, real estate development and banking. In 1967, he founded Eagle Aviation and served as its chairman. He held several leadership positions in community organizations, including the Green Boundary Club, the former Aiken Preparatory School and Hitchcock Woods Foundation. He is survived by a niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.


Beverley Randolph Wellford (Col ’66 CM) of Richmond, Virginia, died May 6, 2022. While in the Army Medical Service Corps, he was commanding officer of the 29th Evacuation Hospital at Fort Devens in Massachusetts, eventually becoming a captain. Also known as Ranny, he was a member of St. Anthony Hall and captain of the tennis team at UVA. In the spring of 1965, he and fellow pranksters tethered a Black Angus calf on top of the Rotunda, one of the most notorious stunts perpetrated at the University. After graduating from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1973, he practiced law at Wellford & Taylor in Richmond with his father McDonald Wellford (Col ’36, Law ’37) and brother McDonald Wellford Jr. (Col ’65). Survivors include his brother Ten Eyck Thompson Wellford (Col ’76 CM).


James Thomas Skelly III (Col ’67 CM) of Wilmington, Delaware, died Nov. 19, 2022. While at UVA, he was a member of Delta Phi fraternity. His career began with nearly 30 years in banking before he spent 20 years in real estate. Over the years, he and his wife enjoyed international trips with the Alumni Association. He volunteered with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Wilmington, the Mental Health Association, and the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, for which he served as chairperson. He was a tennis player and a dedicated UVA sports fan. Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Fern, his brother, three daughters and five grandchildren.