Category: Faculty

Juan Alberto Hernández-Chiroldes passed away on September 17, 2024. He lived a life of impact: one that shaped his family, his students, and his community.

Visitation will be held at Caballero Rivero Sunset Funeral Home, 7355 SW 117 Ave, Miami, FL, 33183, beginning at 4 pm on Sunday September 22. A funeral mass will be held at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 5400 SW 102nd Ave Miami, FL 33165, at 10 am Monday September 23. The Burial will follow the mass at Miami Memorial Park Cemetery, 6200 SW 77th Ave, Miami, FL 333143

Alberto was born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba on January 31,1943, to the late José Antolín Hernández and Domitila Chiroldes. At age 18, his outspoken beliefs forced him to leave Cuba, but Cuba never left him. He spent the next 64 years yearning and advocating for a free and Democratic Cuba. His dream was to one day return to his native land, so much so that he refused to change his citizenship for the first 51 years of his exile.

In 1969, Alberto graduated from the University of Puerto Rico. That same year, he married his wife of 55 years, Denise. For them, education was paramount. They both received a Master’s degree from Middlebury College and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. And their top priority as parents was to educate their children. As such, it is no surprise that Alberto’s life’s work was teaching. He spent 31 years as an iconic professor at Davidson College. He served as Chair of the Spanish Department, and was awarded the ODK Teaching Award and the Hunter Hamilton Love of Teaching Award during his tenure. However, his most cherished memories of Davidson were of his countless hours with students, many of whom became lifelong friends. Students’ stories of vibrant conversations during office hours with El Profesor have been told for the last 40 years. When he retired in 2010, dozens of former students traveled back to Davidson from around the globe to celebrate his impact on their lives.

While Cuban by blood, Alberto was American by heart. He championed Democracy, Capitalism, and Discourse. Moreover, he embodied the “American Dream, ” a legacy that he has left for his grandchildren. Another legacy is his love of learning and search for wisdom. His encyclopedic knowledge of literature, history, sports, philosophy, music, politics, and his beloved old Westerns, made him an incredible friend and mentor. For every occasion, he was ready with a story, rich in detail and full of humor. His many friends and family would attest to his willingness to help at any moment, through advice or action. And of course, he valued a hearty debate, decibels be damned.

Above all, he was treasured as a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and friend. Alberto is survived by his wife of 55 years, R. Denise Cobian Hernández -Chiroldes, son Alberto Hernández (wife Abigail Kellett), daughter Denise Cross (husband Dax Cross), grandchildren Javier Cross, Thaddeus Cross, Beatrice Hernández, Sabina Cross, and Josephine Hernández. He is also survived by the Cobiáns (his wife’s siblings and their families), and his many beloved cousins and friends. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Donald L. Kimmel Jr., beloved biology professor who inspired generations of students at Davidson College, died peacefully at home on August 20, 2024, with Meg, his devoted wife of 41 years, by his side and surrounded by loving family and friends.

The oldest of three boys, Don was born in Swedesboro, New Jersey, on April 15, 1935, to Jessie Elizabeth Brown and Donald Loraine Kimmel. As a child, Don grew up in Ann Arbor, New Orleans, Waco, and finally back in South Jersey, following the teaching career of his father.

Like his teacher mother, Don graduated from Swarthmore College. After receiving his MD from Temple University and PhD from Johns Hopkins University, he began his teaching career at Brown. In 1971, Davidson recruited him to head its Biology Department, where he taught for nearly 30 years, educating hundreds of future healthcare professionals. His joy of teaching was evident in the way he embraced the larger stories and context around subjects such as spider cognition; “Biology for Poets” for non-science majors; embryology; and other intensive pre-med courses. He famously taught genetics in the character and garb of Gregor Mendel. His innovative childbirth seminar explored the biology and experience of pregnancy and birth across cultures.

In 1997, grateful alumni awarded Don with Davidson’s highest teaching honor, the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award. After retirement from Davidson in 2000, he taught with University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea. When Meg’s work took them to Maine, he taught at Bates, falling in love with the people and the land and even the weather.

Don was deeply and joyfully domestic. He married June Miller in 1960 and began his life as a father with their four children. In 1983, he married Margaret (Meg) Boykin, adding her two young children to the fold. Together they blended families and welcomed another son in 1986. This combination—and many kin by choice—created a wide, diverse, and lively extended family. For more than half a century, he led the family in building sandcastles, eating crabs, and counting pelicans at their annual Sunset Beach reunion.

Don was open and interested in others, often falling into conversations with strangers, keeping servers at his table for too long just to get to know them, visiting the kitchen to thank the chef, and lingering, happy to hear others’ stories. Don also sat easily in the spirit of his Quaker upbringing, appreciating the silence where it came.

Don was active in his community, including with community theater and Habitat for Humanity. He always had a book going. He followed the Red Sox and many other sports, and enjoyed movies, documentaries, and re-runs of silly comedies. He loved music, with a penchant for opera, Christmas carols, and all manner of vocal performance. He would eat everything, sometimes from his neighbor’s plate or little past an expiration date. He loved fine food, drink, and travel, and was the consummate host.

Don’s family extends thanks to the compassionate staff of Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, and especially to his nurse, Beth, and aide, Latwanya.

Don is survived by his wife, Meg; children, Stephen (Carla Kimmel), Charity (Robert Malkemes), Christopher, Benjamin (Lori Nofziger), Wilson Kello, Robin Kello, and Jesse Kimmel; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild, a legion of nieces and nephews, and many who think of him as a father; brothers, Charles (Reida) and Richard (Susan).

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can go to Hospice of Cabarrus County or the Davidson College Kimmel Scholarship (choose Other and write in “Kimmel Scholarship”). The family can be reached at Post Office Box 1974, Davidson, North Carolina 28036.

The family plans to celebrate Don’s full and loving life on October 19th at 3 pm at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church.

Charles Bruce Davis III, 36, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Mooresville on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Born in Raleigh, Chip grew up in East Bend where he attended Forbush High School, graduating in 2006. He played football, performed with show choir, and was an Eagle Scout. He attended UNC Asheville on a Teaching Fellows Scholarship, pursuing a degree in Theatre Education. Chip briefly attended Michigan State University for set design, then taught at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte. Chip spent many memorable summers working at La Musica Lirica in Italy, where he met the love of his life: his wife, Amanda, following her to Indiana University where his true passion for both teaching and theater, coupled with a love of problem-solving and building things, led him to earn an MFA in Technical Theater.

Another love arrived a little less than seven months ago, when the birth of son Charlie fulfilled Chip’s dream of being a dad.

An integral and beloved member of the Davidson College Theatre Department and arts community, Chip worked on multiple performances yearly, teaching students the craft of technical production for the stage, along with life lessons regarding prioritizing realistic solutions, creating and ensuring safety, and how not to sweat the small stuff. Chip’s dedication to fostering the arts also led him to design and build sets independently for several theaters in the greater Charlotte area, including Charlotte Conservatory Theater, Three Bones Theatre, and Common Thread Theatre Collective; he was scheduled to work with Davidson Community Players this fall. His colleagues and students alike treasured his innovative and collaborative spirit, his honesty and positivity. Chip was never only a teacher; he was a mentor. He was never just a technical director; he made magic happen.

Ceaselessly curious and with more hobbies than anyone could count, Chip was an avid golfer, tinkerer, gamer, 3D-printer, and reader. He loved watching any and all car-racing, as well as how-to YouTube videos. However, more than any gadget or tool collection (of which he had plenty), Chip collected and connected people. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome, comfortable and seen. It was easy to be around him, and easy to love him. Chip lived life with joy and fullness. He laughed with his entire face. He loved with his whole heart. He was a loyal, steadying, dedicated, loving, devoted, and goofy son, brother, husband, and dad.

Chip was preceded in death by his father, Charles Bruce Davis Jr.; and grandparents, Charles Bruce Davis and Nancy Mills Davis, and Arnold Hobson and Lois Trivette Hobson. Chip is survived by his wife, Amanda Sesler Davis; son, Charlie (Charles Bruce Davis IV); his mother and stepfather, Virginia and Sim Artice, of East Bend; siblings, Lauren Abee (Christopher) of Emerald Isle, Jason Artice (Penny) of Kernersville, and Josh Artice (Michele) of North Port, FL; a niece and nephew; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.

A celebration of life will be held at the Davidson College Cunningham Theatre Center on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please support Chip’s love of theater and go see a show; contribute to North Carolina Theatre Conference (nctc.org/ways-to-support); or help to secure Charlie’s future (gofundme.com/f/help-secure-charlies-future-in-memory-of-chip) James Funeral Home is assisting the family, online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.

Dr. John Hybert Williamson, 84, of Davidson, NC passed away on February 22, 2023. John (Hybert to hometown friends and family) was born in Clarkton, NC, on April 28, 1938 to Mary Elizabeth Ballentine and Robert Bennett Williamson. He attended Clarkton Elementary and High Schools, graduating in 1956. He married Marcia Ann Van Dusen from Lockport, NY on May 11, 1963, who preceded him in death after 46 years of marriage in 2009. After Marcia’s death, John moved to The Pines at Davidson, where he lived surrounded by a large circle of friends.

John pursued a rich and honored career in genetics. He attended the North Carolina State College (now NC State University) in the Talent for Service scholarship program. He graduated with honors in 1960 and subsequently earned degrees from Cornell University (M.S. 1963) and the University of Georgia (Ph.D. 1966). After a post-doctoral fellowship at University of California at Riverside, he became a professor in the Biology Department at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada from 1969-1981, where he taught biology, conducted research in genetics, and served as Head of the Department. The opportunity to return home to North Carolina arose and John became the Chair of the Biology Department at Davidson College in 1981 and was the Herman Brown Professor until his retirement in 2000. His hard work and dedication resulted in over 100 publications. He made the world a better place by challenging thousands of students to think critically, see the world of biology with passion, and gain a sound education through hard work and perseverance.

John enjoyed gardening, genealogy, playing bridge (becoming a Life Master), travelling, reading, canning jams and preserves, music and above all, family. He was admired and inspired by all who knew him. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings Shirley Williamson Wooten, Charles Bennett Williamson and Phillip Henderson Williamson. John is survived by his sisters-in-law Jan Williamson Leppanen and Binky Aikman, children Dhelia (Glen Satten), Robert (Kelly) and Dean Williamson and grandchildren Jessica (Mitch Colston), Gentry, Sadie, Victoria and Iva, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held March 25, 2023 at Erwin Lodge, 1345 Grey Road Davidson, NC from 1-5 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the John and Marcia Williamson Endowment at Central Carolina Community Foundation at 1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford, NC 27330 (https://www.cccc.edu/foundation/give-now in memory of John Williamson).

James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family and obituary lovingly written by the family.