March 29, 2024

Deaths of Emeritus Professors

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the deaths of two beloved members of the UMW Community:

Bernie Lemoine, professor emeritus of music, died on Saturday, January 19 at the age of 83. Having served in the Korean conflict, he joined the music faculty of Mary Washington in 1965 after receiving his bachelor and master of music degrees in piano performance from Oberlin and from the University of Illinois. He later received his Ph.D. in music theory from Catholic University where, according to Professor Martha Fickett, his research centered on the late piano music of Franz Liszt. At Mary Washington he taught piano, music theory, and music appreciation until his retirement in 2001. Professor Fickett recalls his expert performances on campus in solo recitals, as an accompanist, and with the College Community Orchestra, now the Philharmonic. His wife Suzanne predeceased him and he is survived by his daughter Lisa and his son Michael. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, 1621 Jefferson Davis Highway, where a funeral will also be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Please visit Fredericksburg.com to read his obituary.

George Van Sant, distinguished professor emeritus of philosophy, died Sunday, January 20 at VCU Medical Center in Richmond at the age of 85. He joined the Mary Washington faculty in 1958 after receiving his A.B. from St. John’s College in Annapolis, and his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.  He taught at Mary Washington for 32 years before his retirement in 1990, serving as chair of his department. He was the recipient of the 1986 Grellet C. Simpson Award for Undergraduate Teaching, the university’s highest honor bestowed on a faculty member. His support of students continued beyond retirement through scholarships that he and his wife, Milena, provided.  Active in local and state government, he was a three-term member of the Fredericksburg City Council, head of the Fredericksburg Democratic Party and recipient the Prince B. Woodard Citizenship Award, the highest honor given to an individual by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. A proud member of the Marine Corps during both World War II and the Korean conflict, George revisited his experiences in his 2008 book “Taking on the Burden of History.” In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Mary Duncan. His son Ned predeceased him. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but condolence messages may be posted at http://www.curriefuneralhome.net/book-of-memories/1475904/Van-Sant-George/index.php.  Visit Fredericksburg.com for a more extensive article about Dr. Van Sant.

On behalf of the UMW community, we extend sympathy to their family and friends.

About Brynn Boyer

Brynn Boyer is assistant director of media and public relations and a 2010 graduate of UMW.