Fibers plant manufacturer, Virginia senator, constant classmate communicator, and caretaker of deceased classmates' children, Buz Dawbarn died Dec. 31, 1998, from a heart operation. He left his wife, Mary, son Dunlop Jr., daughter Alice, and two grandchildren.
Buz was very active at South Kent School and majored in politics at Princeton. He took part in freshman football, hockey, and crew and joined Cloister before leaving at the end of 1935 to study engineering at Johns Hopkins. He was first an engineer with York Corp. and supervisor in the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard before becoming a navigator with Pan-American Airways from 1942-44, ferrying Army personnel and cargo. He then was an ensign in the Navy.
He operated Dawbarn Brothers until it was sold in 1963. In 1970 he founded Camac Corp., which produced nylon fiber used for auto upholstery and carpet. It was sold in 1989. He was a former city councilman and vice-mayor in Waynesboro, and in 1994 the Science Museum of Virginia gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in industry.
The Class of 1937