Douglas Drysdale

Douglas Duncan Drysdale of Albemarle County passed away at his home on November 27. Born on August 9, 1924, Doug was the son of Duncan and Margaret (Pollock) Drysdale, both natives of Scotland. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Jean D. Warren.

Doug grew up in Lynchburg, VA and attended Lynchburg College before transferring to the University of Virginia where he earned his B.A. in economics in 1944. Doug joined the U.S.Army in June 1944 and reached the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the medical administrative corps before completing his service in December 1946. On returning home, Doug completed graduate work in economics before enrolling in the Law School at UVA, earning his LL.B. in 1953 (Phi Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif). As a lawyer and CPA, he began his professional career with Robert Musselman & Associates before moving to the law firm of Perkins, Battle & Minor (now McGuireWoods). In 1964, Doug joined his former teacher and then law partner, Mortimer Caplin, to found Caplin & Drysdale (Washington, DC), which became and remains a premier national law firm specializing in tax law and related fields. As a lawyer, Doug was skillful, careful, and effective, and he was a model and mentor to uncountable young lawyers over the course of his fifty-plus years of practice. Doug also taught in both the commerce and law schools at UVA over many years, offering courses such as accounting, banking law, and tax practice.

Doug will be remembered as an unfailing gentleman who was intelligent, kind, warm, and generous. He adhered to high standards and expected, or at least hoped for, the same in others. He also had a keen sense of humor – never hurtful or disparaging – always used to amuse, surprise, charm, and compliment others. Doug was a generous and loyal supporter of a wide range of intellectual, artistic, and service organizations; he was very proud of his Scottish heritage; and he enjoyed travel, music (including bagpipes), theatre, and good food and wine.

Doug is survived by his wife Elaine Hadden; his daughters, Margaret Beeke and Mary Douglas Drysdale; and his granddaughter Anna Beeke. He is also survived by and was loved dearly by his spouses’ children and grandchildren from prior marriages and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts to honor Doug may be made to the UVA Law School Foundation. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, December 15, at the Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville.