After Taps

Thomas A. Saunders ’58

By The Family of Thomas A. Saunders ’58

Thomas Alonza Saunders III ’58, 86, died peacefully in his home in Palm Beach, Florida, Sept. 9, 2022. Tom was a Wall Street innovator, nationally recognized conservative leader, philanthropist, husband, father, grandfather, Virginian, and proud American patriot.

Born June 1, 1936, in the tiny town of Ivor, Virginia, Tom graduated from Maury High School and earned an electrical engineering degree from Virginia Military Institute in 1958. He was a maverick from the get-go, and brother rats can attest to the record number of penalty tours Tom walked for the high-spirited and clever pranks he pulled in college. VMI instilled in Tom a deep sense of honor, duty, and discipline, and each day, he passed Stonewall Jackson’s quote, “You may be whatever you resolve to be.” Tom had more resolve than most, and what he became was extraordinary.

After serving in the U.S. Army, he began his career in Allis-Chalmers’ Space and Defense Sciences, where he researched, helped develop, and marketed fuel cells for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Apollo program. After receiving a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Virginia in 1967, the young man with a Tidewater accent moved to New York and began a storied career at Morgan Stanley. By 1971, as a statistician, Tom was entrusted with keeping the records of Morgan Stanley, a firm so young at the time that he kept track of its $8 million capital position on a yellow legal pad.

By 1974, Tom had become a partner and managing director of Morgan Stanley during a golden era of Wall Street. He was a leader whose legacy and innovation still resound. As head of Morgan Stanley’s Syndicate Desk, he ran the biggest equity financings of the day, including AT&T, GE, IBM, DuPont, Exxon, General Motors, and Apple. Tom pioneered many techniques that are still used, including applying the Greenshoe provision to big initial public offerings, innovation of Rule 415 to streamline offerings, and ushering in the age of simultaneous offerings, which permitted concurrent participation in the world’s biggest stock exchanges. He led the advisory teams that determined how AT&T would sell off its regional operating systems, privatized Conrail from the U.S. government, and privatized British Telecom and British Petroleum. Tom served as chairman and raised Morgan Stanley’s $2.2 billion leveraged buyout fund. He also founded his own successful private equity business, Saunders Karp & Megrue, which invested in some of the nation’s most successful companies, including Dollar Tree, where Tom served as lead director for nearly three decades.

Tom’s colleagues and friends loved his good humor and Southern charm and knew him as a genius parallel processor with an iron will and unmatched work ethic and discipline.

In 2008, President George W. Bush named Tom and his wife, Jordan, the first joint recipients of the National Humanities Medal for their extensive nonprofit service and philanthropy in the realms of public policy, higher education, historic preservation, and the arts.

Tom was chairman of the Heritage Foundation, the country’s leading conservative think tank, and was awarded the institution’s highest honor, the 2018 Clare Boothe Luce Award. He was a member of VMI’s Board of Visitors and was awarded VMI’s Distinguished Service Award. Tom also served on the Board of the Marine Corps University Foundation, where he was named the 2008 recipient of its Maj. Gen. John H. Russell Leadership Award.

Tom made transformative contributions to the University of Virginia across the College of Arts and Sciences, Darden Business School, and the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. Tom served as chairman of Darden and donated the lead gift for Saunders Hall, the main building of Darden’s grounds. While serving on the university’s Board of Visitors, Tom spearheaded the effort to move the management of the endowment away from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s political appointees and funding restrictions by creating and serving as a board member of the independent University of Virginia Investment Management Company. Tom’s push for “privatization” was hugely unpopular at the time, but his gift for persuasiveness prevailed.

While chairman of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, he facilitated the purchase of Montalto, the property adjacent to Monticello, permanently sparing this important vista from future development. Tom was a founding donor in the effort to preserve and digitize the retirement papers of Thomas Jefferson and built the Saunders Bridge and Saunders-Monticello Trail. He led and served on many boards, including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the American Civil War Museum, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Old Westbury Gardens, and the New York Historical Society, where he received the 2007 History-Makers Award.

Tom was a member of the National Gallery of Art Trustee Council, on the Norton Museum of Art board, and had an abiding passion for art and a keen eye for collecting. He has loaned The Saunders Collection, an exceptional group of European Old Master paintings, to the world’s most prominent museums. Tom’s devotion to America’s lineage led him to membership in the Society of Colonial Wars, The Mayflower Society, The Huguenot Society of America, the Order of First Families of Virginia, and the 400th Commemoration of Jamestown Steering Committee.

Tom’s curiosity was insatiable. From the infinite cosmos to the infinitesimal double helix, he loved learning about everything. Whether he was talking to Margaret Thatcher or an acquaintance, Tom had a gift for connecting with people. He was a renaissance man—a passionate runner, cyclist, sailor, hiker, tennis player, traveler, art collector, self-taught ornithologist, and witty dinner companion. Life with Tom was never dull.

He was devoted to and fiercely loved his family. He is survived by his wife and perfect life partner of 61 years, Jordan Saunders of Palm Beach, as well as his daughter, Mariah Calvert Claud Saunders Moore; son-in-law, George Braniff Moore of New York; and their three children, Rebecca Carter Saunders Moore, George Saunders Van Rensselaer Moore, and Mary Schuyler Jordan Moore. He is also survived by his son, Thomas A. Saunders IV, and grandson, Thomas A. Saunders V of Los Angeles, California.

Tom Saunders stayed in the harness until the last row was plowed. His integrity, tenacity, generosity, and Virginian charm will echo for generations.

Godspeed, Tom Saunders.

Thomas Ellis Campbell ’70

By Steve Talley ’70

Thomas Campbell ’70, of Murrysville, Pennsylvania, died suddenly Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at his mountain retreat in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. Tom grew up in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where he lettered in wrestling, baseball, basketball, and football at Martins Ferry High. In his senior year, the football team named him their captain, a high honor indeed. Tom brought his athletic prowess to VMI, majored in civil engineering, and captained the football team his 1st Class year while maintaining dean’s list status throughout his cadetship. At VMI, he was a leader, plain and simple.

During his cadetship, the Outstanding Americans Foundation named Tom an Outstanding College Athlete in America. After graduating from the Institute, he built a successful engineering career. One of his early employers, Westinghouse Electric, named him a general manager, the youngest they had ever appointed at that time. He also won the Westinghouse Order of Merit. After Westinghouse, Tom and his wife, Jan, established and managed two successful business enterprises.

I had the pleasure of playing on the rat football team with Tom and thus saw firsthand his mastery of that sport. He was a physical, “hardnosed” player. An adroit defensive tackle, he was brilliant on the field, analytic, always observing, calculating, and constantly aware of where the ball was and how to get to it. He frequently stopped opposing running backs in their tracks.

Ned Haley ’70, our brother rat and head manager for the varsity football team our 1st Class year, said of him, “Tom always put his whole self into playing his position. Being quick, surprisingly nimble, and aggressive in his four-point stance, opposing players double-teamed him often. He finished every game sweat-soaked, bruised from head to foot, with bloodied hands and face, and limping on one or both legs. [I bet the guys on rival teams also paid a dear price physically, going up against Tom.] I’m sure he played with constant pain from damaged hips, knees, and ankles, but his teammates knew he would do whatever it took to defend his part of the line. I never heard him complain; he always encouraged everyone else. He had a quick wit, so it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that he could ‘talk trash’ with the best of his opponents during the heat of a game, though I never heard him do so myself.” I bet he did his share of trash-talking.

John Ludt ’70 remembers Tom as a gentle giant, a faithful brother rat, and a successful athlete who excelled on the gridiron and in the classroom. Within every gentle giant lives a ferocious footballer and, in Tom’s case, a brilliant budding engineer.

Frank Cleaton ’70 recounted many stories about Tom. Frank and Steve Friski ’70 were Company C guys, affectionately known as squat butts in those days. Another BR squat butt lived a few doors down and regularly visited Frank and Steve’s room after taps, “kicking our door open and cleaning the floor with Steve or me. He would alternate which of us was his mop for that night.” One evening, fearing another visit from the bully, Frank decided to employ Tom, who roomed a few doors away and had retired for the night. “Tom threw the covers off and, in an instant, was on his feet and headed to our room, where he hid behind the door, awaiting the bully’s blustery entrance.” The intruding squat butt must have been very surprised when a towering Tom Campbell made his presence known and diplomatically explained that he was not having any more abuse visited on his fellow squat butts. What ensued next is not for weak stomachs. “It got so loud inhabitants of the first, second, and third-floor rooms below us came out to see what had just hit barracks.” Needless to say, the bully did not bother Frank and Steve again and, in fact, left VMI early, fearing the horrible Tom Campbell retribution specter.

Frank, Tom, and Lee Moon ’70 roomed together during their 1st Class year. After football practice, Tom and Lee would return to the room and, not having enough punishing drills under their belts, would use Frank as a “blocking dummy,” which involved the involuntary passing back and forth of Frank, the hapless dummy. “They called it character building, as I remember,” he said. Living with Tom and Lee, Frank sure got a good dose of “character building” in those days. VMI probably should have awarded him an honorary football team letter.

In our 1st Class year, the Richmond-Times Dispatch published an article announcing that the VMI football team had selected Tom as the team captain. Frank recounts that “being a loving and caring roommate who wanted to show support for his famous roommate, I went to the guardhouse to ask them to announce on the PA that anyone who did not want today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch please take them to Tom’s room. Tom Campbell would like all copies!” The guard room complied with Frank’s request, and Tom was not happy. He responded by “relocating” Frank’s sleeping quarters (that would be his hay rack and roll) to the courtyard. Tom bellowed, “Cleaton, you are not coming back into this room.” That is some character-building for you.

Frank and Tom worked together at Westinghouse after VMI. Frank says that Tom was intelligent and had excellent facilitation and team-building skills. “He could come into a meeting that was going in circles, not making progress, and in a few minutes of listening, take control and get the meeting attendees to work together to meet the objective.”

It helped immensely that Tom, “strong as an ox but agile and quick as a cat, could walk on his hands for considerable distances, a skill he frequently demonstrated in barracks.” That, I have been told, is a valuable team-building technique. And, I bet, wildly entertaining. When Tom walked on his hands around rooms filled with midlevel Westinghouse managers, evoking grunts and guffaws, that day’s objectives were easy to write and guaranteed a short meeting, I bet.

Lee Moon and Tom became close friends at VMI and nurtured that friendship for many years after graduation. There was a time when Lee lived with Tom and Cathy, Tom’s first wife, while he worked as a football coach in the area where they lived. I hope they did not try to use Cathy as a blocking dummy.

Lee traveled from the deep South to attend Tom’s funeral and life celebration, acquitting himself well in representing our class. He told me numerous people spoke about Tom and offered stories to illustrate that quality. Folks in attendance threw words and phrases out to describe Tom, like kindness, larger than life, generosity, welcoming, and charming.

“Tom loved his dog, Rebel, and two cats, Perry and Mason, dearly,” says Jan, Tom’s wife. A man that loves his cats and dog is good enough for me. The dog in particular. Jan also told me

that Tom was very grateful that VMI awarded him a scholarship to play football, and he repaid that kindness by supporting VMI athletics through the years. She is glad to know many of his brother rats do the same.

Jan said this about Tom in her tribute at his funeral. “Tom was the center of my world. He was my boss, my colleague, my friend, my partner, and the love of my life. He’s the only man I ever met that I would concede smarter than me.” I asked Jan to describe Tom in five words. Her reply was, “Generous, confident, quick-witted, caring, and funny.”

Tom is survived by his wife and business partner, Jan; his beloved daughter and son-inlaw, Shannon and Jeff Mauser; sister, Sheryl Campbell; cherished grandsons, Colton and Dylan Mauser; Jan’s mother, Antoinette Galley; and brothers, Carl A. Galley II and his wife, Annette, and John L. Galley and his wife, Lori. His nieces and nephew, Laura, Joe, Emily, and Sara, will all miss his love and caring spirit.

Rest in peace, Brother Rat Tom Campbell. And if anyone in heaven gives you any guff or if bullies are about, kick their sorry @#$ and throw their hay rolls over the rail.

Editor’s Note: Additional information for this After Taps was provided by Ned Haley ’70, Frank Cleaton ’70, Lee Moon ’70, John Ludt ’70, and Jan McMaster Campbell.

Michael F. Mahoney’74

By Tom Mascot ’74, Bob Slupik ’74, and Mike Ernzen ’74

Michael Francis Mahoney ’74 passed away in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, of a massive heart attack Aug. 12, 2022, while engaged in his favorite pastime, playing golf. Mike was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and matriculated from Springfield, Virginia, with our class in August 1970. He was a history major, Army ROTC/Armor, and a member of Company C. Mike took great pride in being a four-year private and a member of the Officer of the Guard Association. In addition, he was active in many cadet activities, notably as a defenseman and co-captain of the lacrosse team; a member of our Ring Design Committee, the Newman Club, the Young Republicans, and the Rum Truckers; and in sneaking girls into our room—oh my goodness! Mike would be the first to tell you that he had a tough row to hoe with VMI academics. While we went home for summer furlough, he did three summer school sessions. In spite of his extra work, Mike was unable to graduate with our class because he was short of credits and the required GPA. However, through great perseverance and dedicated effort, he completed his academic requirements and graduated 10 years later. Getting his diploma was one of the greatest and most cherished achievements of Mike’s life—a tremendous success story that exemplifies the never say die attitude of VMI graduates. Mike honestly loved VMI and all the best things for which it stands. He was a loyal supporter and active member of the VMI Alumni Association.

Mike was a man with an incredible work ethic defined by his character, unquestioned integrity, and personal honor. He truly lived an extraordinary life of service as a Fairfax County police officer and helicopter EMT. After retiring from Fairfax County, Mike then served as a firefighter and EMT for Loudoun County, Virginia. It takes a special kind of person to put their life on the line every day to serve the members of their community. Mike was such a man.

We roomed with Mike from our fall semester 1971, 3rd Class year, through to graduation in May 1974. No one could have asked for a better brother rat, a finer roommate, or a more loyal friend. He had that wonderful Irishman’s sense of humor, a joyful laugh, a great outlook on life (even when times were tough for him), and an infectious wry grin. Mike had a heart of gold, and he truly would have given you the shirt off his back.

Mike leaves behind the love of his life, Patty; his step-children, Stephen, Shannon, and Ashley; four grandchildren; two brothers, Steve and Chris; and two sisters, Patty and Cathy. Mike epitomized the words of Col. J.T.L. Preston as an honorable youth who was an honor to his country and his state. All of us who knew Mike are better for having had him in our lives. He will be greatly missed by our entire class.

Stanley B. Stout ’77

By Mark Bryant ’77

Stan Stout ’77, our brother rat and friend, died near his home in Williamsburg, Virginia, Sept. 24, after battling heart and lung illness for many weeks.

Stan matriculated to VMI along with BR Steve Stout ’77, his twin brother, from Chesapeake, Virginia. A biology major, he spent many a night in the old biology building working away at getting on the dean’s list. He spent time in the Corps as a corporal, sergeant, and both a cadet lieutenant and a 1st Class private (a promotion, for sure).

Stan was known by all as a supportive and active brother rat, never hesitating to share his views on most any subject while proudly embracing his fellow BRs and his cadet experiences. Stan was a fierce competitor, especially at boxing, where he held the light heavyweight championship for two years.

Stan commissioned in the Army as an Infantry lieutenant after graduation. Achieving both Airborne and Ranger qualifications, he served on active duty for over 10 years. As a captain, he then decided to leave the Army to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a police officer.

Stan fulfilled his dream in the same terrific

manner as he approached any challenge. A career officer in the James City County department (Williamsburg, Virginia), he filled nearly every professional position from patrol through detective and retired as a deputy chief of police.

He was obviously respected and revered by his fellow officers. Honor guards and eulogies at his funeral noted the tireless service and support he always gave to his force and his profession. His close friend and fellow officer noted that Stan was often present on the scene just to “observe his officers” and that you never had to “wonder what Stan’s position was” on any topic or situation. “If you were a criminal in James City County, then Stan knew who you were,” and, “When Stan was sending, you were receiving,” were noted in the most respectful and admiring way in his memorial. The obvious respect and devotion of his officers were noted on a very rainy day in Williamsburg as the funeral procession of vehicles wound their way to the cemetery. At every intersection, officers proudly stood in the rain next to their cruisers and motorcycles, saluting their chief.

Stan loved VMI and was a devoted alumnus. He told me months before his final entry into the hospital how determined he was to get better and attend our 45th Reunion in October. He, along with our other brother rats who have gone before us, was remembered and always will be at our reunion and whenever we gather.

We in the Class of ’77 were all fortunate to know Stan and have him as our brother rat. We will keep him in our prayers and tell his stories.