Marvin Henry Hilton

Marvin Henry Hilton

Marvin Henry Hilton of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 25, 2010, in his home.

He was born on October 19, 1932, in Lynchburg, Virginia, to the late Bertha Fulcher White and Henry A. Hilton.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Virginia Gravitt Hilton; his three children, Mark Scott Hilton, Timi Hilton Conrath, and Anne Leigh Hilton Matthews; his four grandchildren, Hunter Reed Conrath, Parker Holt Conrath, Shane Michael Matthews and Ethan Hilton Matthews; and his half-brother, Phillip Hilton.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After service to his country, he received Bachelor and Masters degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia. He was a lecturer in the University of Virginia Engineering School for several years, a registered professional engineer, and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, serving on the local, state, and national level.

He was a Senior Research Scientist in the Virginia Transportation Research Council (a division of VDOT) for most of his career until his retirement in 1991.

He was very active professionally even after retirement, acting for a number of years as a Committee Clerk and as a Legislative Aid to Barnie Day as well as Rob Bell in the Virginia General Assembly and recently serving as President of the Senior Statesmen of Virginia in 2008 and 2009. He was recently appointed to the Board of the Albemarle County Service Authority, actively serving up until his death.

Marvin was a man of great moral character and integrity who believed in honesty and the truth. He believed in standing for and supporting his family. He loved tennis, designing and creating furniture, every old oak tree in his yard, the University of Virginia, and possessed a strong and abiding faith in God. He dearly loved his grandchildren and spent long hours with his grandson, Shane, with whom he shared a joy for tinkering and fixing things.

The Engineering School at the University of Virginia, particularly the Civil Engineering Department, where he was active throughout his career, always remained close to Marvin's heart. He would love nothing more than to help young students receive the same education that he so valued.

The family is creating a scholarship in Marvin's honor and asks that you send contributions to the Marvin H. Hilton Scholarship Fund, University of Virginia Engineering Scholarship Fund, University of Virginia Engineering Foundation, P.O. Box 400256, Charlottesville, VA 22904.

Checks should be made out to the University of Virginia Engineering Foundation (UVEF) with a notation about the Marvin Hilton Scholarship.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2010, at Teague Funeral Home, located at 2260 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Friends may sign a guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.