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In Memory

James Rawlings
 
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11/17/19 02:04 PM #1    

Elma Allen (Leitch)

Went by middle name, Michael. 


11/25/19 11:37 AM #2    

Cecile Zorach

Mike was a bright spot in my freshman year, another Southerner trying to find his way in a somewhat alien milieu., a sweet and curious guy.  He suggested that I combat my boredom and unhappiness by reading a book a week outside class, not necessarily something long or deep but something of interest to me.  I took the suggestion and, while it didn't help my GPA, it certainly helped me get through the year.  I was always grateful to him and was very sad to learn of his premature death.


05/17/22 02:15 PM #3    

Diane Kaplan (Vinokur)

Mike was a charming member of Keep Co-op and always kind.


05/18/22 04:54 PM #4    

Virginia Freschl (Levi)

I also remember Mike very fondly.  He was part of our little group of friends at South Hall sophomore year and brought a lot of joy and laughter to the group.


06/02/22 07:17 PM #5    

Charles Sledd

Mike was the only classmate I had met (once) before arriving on campus.  He was a kind and supportive friend and a talented musician.  I remember his mock-fugue composition, "The Twist and Shout Prelude," and the memory makes me smile.  I wish he could have discovered a way to create as much happiness for himself as he brought to the people around him.


07/09/22 05:50 PM #6    

Elma Allen (Leitch)

After an on-again, off-again relationship at Oberlin and at Emory in Atlanta, Mike and I were married at Emory on 1/17/70. We were very, very happy until we were not. After he achieved the status of conscientious objector from his draft board in Fulton County in 1972, we moved back to VA where he completed his alternative service as the Unit Clerk at the Childrens' Rehabilitation Center in Charlottesville.  He completed a Master's degree in Counseling while I completed an M.Ed in Special Education from UVA. in 1973. Moving to Richmond in 1974, Mike was the Director of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services Board while I taught in Chesterfield County and then directed programs for the Richmond Area Association for Retarded Children. Mike's Mother's sudden death seemed to be the precipitating event for his bipolar affective disorder. A bit more than two years before medical science discovered lithium could greatly assist with the mood regulation of this serious mental illness, he chose to end his life with a single bullet to his temple. He was 27 years old. I still regret that nothing I was able to do changed that outcome. He is greatly missed.


07/10/22 01:44 PM #7    

Virginia Freschl (Levi)

Oh, Elma! I never knew the details of your marriage or Mike's death, though I knew he had committed suicide. I'm so sorry that we lost this special person, and also for how difficult this must have been for you! 


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