University of Virginia Library

Robert Hamilton Williams of Olympia, Washington, entered the University of
Virginia in September 1932 to take pre-medical work for the sessions of 1932-33 and
1933-34. In 1934 he entered the Department of Medicine from which he graduated in 1938.

Dr. Williams' mother and father were dead and he had very limited funds and
worked his way through the University by doing any odd jobs that he could find. Friends
here provided him with room and board for a considerable part of his stay at the University.
He proved to be a very good student, and in order to help him in his effort,
the University accepted five notes aggregating $1,349.55 (interest to January 1, 1943
amounts to $416.75) in part settlement of his fees, which amounted to approximately
$2,000 for the six sessions he was at the University.

In 1938-39, following his graduation he served his internship at the University
of Virginia for one year and for two years in the Mason Clinic, Seattle, Washington.
Upon completion of his internship he entered the United States Navy as Lt. (jg) in the
Medical Corps. He served on the USS Portland on which he was killed in action on December
7, 1942.

On November 7 we had a letter from Dr. Williams in which he stated, "My continuous
touring the seas since the start of the war has made possible an opportunity for
me to accumulate almost a years' salary-now on the books and untouched. Although I have
promised to send frequent payments on my account it has been impossible and unwise.
Since it is possible, I now prefer to pay off my indebtedness in a lump sum in full.
Some time within the next month or six weeks I expect to be in port and I would like to
have a statement of my account with interest figured to January 1, 1943. I will forward
a check promptly upon receipt of your statement on my first visit to port" Statement
was mailed him November 17, 1942 but he was killed in action before it reached him.

In due time, we took the matter up with his widow, sending her a copy of Dr.

Williams' letter of November 7 and our reply of November 17. She advised us that there was no
administrator or administratrix appointed to settle the estate of her late husband, as the
only part of it requiring settlement was $250 in postal money orders which were turned over to
her by the post office. She stated that what money she had at the time of his death was used for
living expenses and for starting out in a new business, and that she would like to see her way
clear to liquidate "Bob's" notes, but did not feel that she could do this. She would, however,
be willing to borrow $1,000 if the University would be willing to accept this amount in full
settlement of principal and interest. I replied that the matter would have to be brought before
the Board before a compromise settlement could be considered,