James Dillard Via M.D.

1936 - 2014

James Dillard Via, M.D.

Norfolk - James Dillard Via, MD, 78, died at home on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. Born September 19, 1936 in Henry County, Virginia, he was the son of Sallie Mae Shelton Via and John William Via. Dr. Via graduated from Fieldale High School in Henry County, the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

For three years 1965 1968, between internship and residency, Dr. Via served as captain in the US Army in Bamberg, Germany. Following a residency at Norfolk General Hospital, Dr. Via started in private practice with Dr. Mason C. Andrews, Dr. William C. Andrews and Dr. Willette L. LeHew on July 1, 1971. Dr. Via delivered 7,510 babies over the course of his career, keeping careful handwritten records of each birth in a series of ledgers stretching from July 1971 until his last delivery in June 2004. Dr. Via was a pioneer in having families together in the labor and delivery room. He also promoted the use of epidural anesthesia during labor and delivery. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Fertility Society, the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Medical Society of Virginia, and the Norfolk Academy of Medicine. Dr. Via was a dedicated and caring physician, only officially retiring from The Group for Women in 2007 when his own health began to fail. Highly respected by his peers and beloved by his partners, Dr. Via truly loved his work and his patients.

An active member of First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia, Dr.Via served the church community as an elder for many years as well as serving on various committees. He volunteered his time and talent; working as a physician for six weeks on a reservation in Claremore, Oklahoma and later joining a mission trip to Guatemala. Dr. Via brought joy and laughter to all he met in life.

He is survived by his two children, Anne Van Swearingen Via McCollough and her husband David Scott McCollough of New York City, and George Via of Kenai, Alaska; his only grandson, James Andrew Scott McCollough of New York City; and his brother, John William Via, Jr. and Mary P. Fox of Alexandria, Virginia; and his aunt, Lois Fulcher Quadrio of Fieldale, Virginia. He was a wonderful uncle to five nephews John William Via, III, Walter Stephenson Via, Henry Fleming Via, Christopher Lewis James Reid, and Lewis George Feuer and one niece Susan Michelle Reid. He was predeceased by his loving wife of fifty years, Marie Berry Matheke Via. His parents and his sister, Linda Via Reid, also predeceased him.

Burial was private. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13 at First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The College Foundation, The Medical School Foundation, or The President's Fund for Excellence at the University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400807, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904 or First Presbyterian Church, 820 Colonial Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23507. Online condolences may be offered to the family through www.hdoliver.com.