In Memory: Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41 by Scott Belliveau ’83, Director of Communications, VMI Foundation Frank G. Louthan Jr. ’41, former president of the president of Everett Waddey Company. He later him with its Distinguished Service Award. In 2012, the Institute bestowed its highest honor, the became president of Richmond Engineering VMI Board of Visitors and former president of the New Market Medal, on Louthan in a ceremony VMI Foundation, died April 12, 2016. He was 95. Company, from which he retired in 1986. He was on New Market Day. It was the 50th anniversary also a founding partner of Wintergreen Resort. A life-long resident of Richmond, Virginia, Louthan was an exemplar of the active citizen. of the first presentation of this honor, and LouLouthan matriculated to VMI in 1937. As a cadet, he was a member of the track team, then He was a longtime member of Kiwanis Interna- than is one of only 14 recipients of the medal. tional, rising to become governor of the Capital In 2012, then-BOV President Paul D. Fraim ’71 coached by the legendary H.M. “Son” Read described Louthan as “a true VMI icon” and said ’916, and ran the 440-yard dash. He was a cadet District, which encompasses Virginia, Maryland, corporal and cadet sergeant, and during his 1st the District of Columbia and Delaware. He also he “clearly exemplifies the qualities set forth ... Class year, he served as a cadet lieutenant in served as a board member of the Richmond in 1962, those of leadership, determination, and Company E. He participated in many other Community Foundation, the Port of Virginia, loyalty which were displayed by the Corps of activities, including the Hop Committee, the the Richmond Port Authority and the Virginia Cadets at the Battle of New Market.” The Institute’s current leaders praised Louthan Veterans Services Foundation. He also was an Glee Club, the Second Class Finance Committee for his dedicated service to VMI. General J.H. elder in Richmond’s First Presbyterian Church. and the Monogram Club, and he was the busiHis service to the Institute was extensive. He Binford Peay III ’62, the Institute’s superintenness manager for The Bomb. A civil engineering dent said, “He was a strong leader, steadfast served as a member of the VMI Board of Visimajor, he received the First Jackson-Hope Medal tors from 1972-80, and was the president of the in his actions, passionate for the Institute, and for the highest academic achievement in his class whose leadership was felt in so many areas over BOV from 1977-80. From 1977-91, he served as upon graduation. a trustee of the VMI Foundation and was the so many years.” George P. “Pete” Ramsey III Like millions of other young Americans at the time, Louthan was called into service after organization’s president from 1987-91. He was ’72, BOV president, described him as “a practical graduation, becoming a field artillery officer one of the leaders of the Institute’s first compre- leader who led through thought and reason. He in the U.S. Army. His unit was assigned to the hensive fundraising effort, The VMI Campaign, set an example that all presidents of the Board Third Army under Gen. George Patton ’907 which ran from 1977-90 and raised more than of Visitors since have been trying to emulate.” “Frank Louthan simply loved VMI to the very $150 million in gifts and commitments. and landed in France in late June 1944. He core of his being,” recalled Hugh M. Fain III ’80, In 1992, in recognition of his service to the Instisaw action in Operation Cobra, the Falaise Gap action and the crossing of the Seine. After tute and his energetic and visionary leadership in VMI Foundation president. “I don’t think a day Operation Dragoon-Anvil, the Allied landings support of VMI, the VMI Foundation presented passed without him thinking about the Institute and how he could support it.” in Southern France, his unit was His son, Robert P. Louthan ’82, reassigned to the Seventh Army who became president of the VMI and participated in its campaigns Alumni Association in July 2016, through V-E Day. In April 1945, said of Louthan, “There wasn’t a during the Seventh Army’s drive conversation, there wasn’t a dinner on Munich, Louthan witnessed we had in which the subject of VMI the liberation of the concentradid not come up. We often joked that tion camp at Dachau. An earlier our father had a mistress. She lived in obituary stated that this event had Lexington, and her name was VMI.” “a dramatic impact on his life; Louthan is survived by his wife, recognizing the evil to which we Marilyn Reaves Louthan; five are capable and knowing the need children, Frank G. Louthan III for human understanding.” At the ’66, Lynn Hill Slabaugh (who end of the war in Europe, Loutwas previously married to the late han’s unit was in Austria, and he B. Richard Hill ’68), R. Reaves had obtained the grade of major. Louthan, Charles M. Louthan After the war, Louthan served in ’75 and Robert P. Louthan ’82; 12 the Army Reserve until 1958 and grandchildren, including Frank left service as a lieutenant colonel. G. Louthan IV ’91, Michael R. Louthan returned to Richmond Louthan ’10, Christopher Blake after the war and embarked on Louthan ’14 and Mason A. Loua successful business career. He worked for a number of compa- Reviewing the Corps during the New Market Day parade after Frank than ’18; 10 great-grandchildren; nies, including Concrete Pipe & Louthan ’41 received the New Market Medal May 15, 2012, were, from and numerous nieces and nephews. Products, which was founded left, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, superintendent; Frank G. Louthan III Memorial donations may be made and led by his Brother Rat Stan ’66; Louthan; Robert P. Louthan ’82; and Col. Thomas H. Trumps ’79, to the B. Richard Hill ’68 Track then-commandant. VMI photo by Kevin Remington. Scholarship at VMI. Navas, until 1961 when he became
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Vmi Alumni Review