Alumni Updates

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John “Jack” Korte Rhoades 

(Col ’71 L/M) of Culpeper, Virginia, died January 18, 2017. At the University, Mr. Rhoades was a resident advisor and a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Eli Banana. After graduation, he married and worked for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings for 10 years. Mr. Rhoades worked as a trader for Eurobond Online starting in 2007. His love of gardening, golf and UVA football were just a few of his passions, and he had recently attended his 45th college reunion. His wife predeceased him in 2001. Survivors include two children, two brothers and two grandsons.


Harry Strachan Hobson

(Col ’58 L/M) of Richmond died September 17, 2016. He served for two years as an officer in the U.S. Army. At the University, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Eli Banana and earned his sports letter in intercollegiate men’s soccer in January 1958. Survivors include his three nephews and their families.


John Wilhelm Morgenstierne Coleman 

(Col ’74) of Locust Valley, New York, died July 17, 2015. At the University, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He was also a member of the Rappahannock Hunt. After graduation, he was a stockbroker for Kidder, Peabody in Florida and Washington, D.C., for many years. Survivors include two sons, two grandchildren, his mother, two sisters and three brothers.


Roland Thayer Sheets 

(Col ’61 L/M) of Yorktown, Virginia, died May 24, 2016. At the University, he was a member of the Glee Club, Beta Theta Phi fraternity and the baseball team. After graduation, he briefly played for the Pittsburgh Pirates before beginning work for NASA at Langley in 1963. He served as manager of the NASA Small Business Innovation Research program from 1983 until his retirement in 2004. In 1993, Mr. Sheets was inducted into the National Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame for his role in developing a cooling suit for treating patients with multiple sclerosis. He received a number of other awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was a dedicated Little League baseball coach and took great pride in the successes of his teams. Survivors include his wife, two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter. 


Garrett Smith ’84

Living in in Charlottesville and practicing law. Give me a yell if you are in town! (updated September 2017)


Dr. Scott A. Ogburn, ’73 | Ph.D. in Sacred Architecture

Living in Pennsylvania 

Omicron Chapter Beta House
B.A. History University of Virginia 1973
Master of Architecture Virginia Tech 1991
Ph.D. Sacred Architecture of Ancient
Civilizations. Atlantic International
University, June 2014 (updated April 2017)


Thomas Puckett ’82

Can’t make this reunion as I am traveling for work- again. Sadly my world travels never take me to C’ville, but I think of it fondly. Hello to all and when in NYC, please let me know!


Josh Mitchell ’10

I recently became a winged Naval Flight Officer in the P-3C Orion community (a great many thanks to Malcolm Andrews for his insight and words of wisdom). I will be going to VP-4 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii for the next few years. I also am marrying my long time high school/college sweetheart Brooke on the 31st of March in Chicago. However, we will be holding a traditional ceremony in Virginia in the next couple of years.


D. M. Ellett ’43

Presently a docent at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History in Albuquerque, New Mexico.


James P. Reynolds ’12

I am currently a 2nd year med student at VCU School of Medicine in Richmond, VA


Floyd Lankford III

50 years as a stockbroker.  Five different firms due to mergers in the industry.