Ross Campbell Reeves

Ross Campbell Reeves

Norfolk - Ross Campbell Reeves passed away on July 3, 2014, while vacationing with his family on Cape Cod. He was 65 years old.

He is survived by his beloved wife Robin Neuschel Reeves; his daughter Cameron Reeves Poynter, her husband William, and their children Jack and Will; his son Peter Campbell Reeves, and his fiancée Cynthia Tayloe Moore; his brother Ralph Bernard Reeves, III and his wife Katie, and children Ralph Bernard Reeves, IV and Daniel MacQuarrie Reeves; his sister and brother-in-law Robert W. and Debra N. Jones, and their children Samantha Koslow, and her husband Robert, and Peyton Jones.

A native of Raleigh, North Carolina, Ross was born to Ralph Bernard Reeves, Jr. and Frances Campbell Reeves. Following his graduation from Woodberry Forest School, he attended Yale University where he received a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude. Mr. Reeves received his juris doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served on the Editorial Board of the Virginia Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif.

After serving in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps, Mr. Reeves and his wife moved to Norfolk, where he began his legal career at the firm of Kaufman, Oberndorfer, & Spainhour. In 1984, he became a partner with the law firm of Willcox & Savage. During his forty years of practice, he became a pillar of the Virginia legal community, serving as chair of the firm's creditors' rights and business bankruptcy practice group. Mr. Reeves was a past member and Chairman of the Business Laws Section of the Virginia Bar Association, and a founding director of the Virginia Venture Capital Forum. He served on the governing board of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Virginia Bar Association and was appointed to the American Bar Association's Ad Hoc Committee on Partnerships in Bankruptcy. He was elected a fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy, based on a proven record of the highest standards of professionalism and service to the profession and the community. Mr. Reeves was the foremost authority on receivership law in Virginia, writing and speaking frequently on the subject. He has been listed for over fifteen years in The Best Lawyers in America.

His leadership and business acumen were also evident in his passionate involvement in the development of the Hampton Roads Community. He was a founding Member of the Children's Art Center Board, a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Stage Company, a member of the Advisory Committee of the Chrysler Museum of Arts, a founding member of the Mowbray Arch Society, a member of the Norfolk Historical Society, a book review columnist for the Virginian-Pilot, and a member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce where he coined the phrase "Part of What Makes Norfolk Great." He was a long-time director of Heritage Bank and a fervent supporter of small businesses and entrepreneurship.

His many activities in the community included membership in the Norfolk German Club, the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club, the Town Point Club and the Yale Club of New York. He was a member of Christ & St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where he served on the Discernment Committee. He served on the Board of Directors of the Harbor Club and was a past president of The Norfolk Assembly.

His many contributions to the community and commerce notwithstanding, perhaps Mr. Reeves' greatest accomplishment was his devotion to mentoring young people of all ages, from his children to his children's friends to applicants to Yale University to new associates in the firm. He was energized by the talent and enthusiasm of youth and fervently hoped to encourage that with his experience and guidance.

His greatest devotion and pride were always dedicated to his family and friends. He was a consummate host and will be remembered for his warm hospitality, his integrity, his intellect, his wit, his wisdom and his warmth. The greatest joys of his life were his wife, his children and grandchildren who filled his heart and made him smile no matter how hard a day was.

Ross Reeves truly is part of what makes Norfolk, and all of us, great.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 10th at 11 a.m. at Christ & St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Norfolk.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the following institutions which were seminal to Mr. Reeves: The University of Virginia School of Law (www.law.virginia.edu), The Chrysler Museum of Art (www.chrysler.org), Woodberry Forest School (www.woodberry.org), Norfolk Academy (www.norfolkacademy.org) and Christ & St. Luke's Episcopal Church. H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.hdoliver.com