Dr. David Stanley Wilkinson

Dr. David S. Wilkinson of Richmond, Virginia passed away suddenly on January 12, 2025, at his home. He was 79. Dave was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was born on February 2, 1945, in Richmond, Virginia to Herbert Carroll and Hattie May Wilkinson (Vaughan). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Stuart.

Dave married Judy (Pace), the love of his life, in June 1967. Together they raised three daughters, Jill, Julie, and Virginia. They were his light and his inspiration.

Dave graduated from John Marshall high school in 1963 and then attended the Virginia Military Institute on a football scholarship. He was an offensive lineman, as befitting his physical stature and his desire to always move the ball forward. His devotion to his beloved alma mater was profound, and he valued his time there above all other academic pursuits. The VMI code of honor was his bond, and he used it to conduct himself with integrity throughout his estimable career.

Upon graduation from VMI in 1967, Dave earned a PhD in Experimental Oncology at the University of Wisconsin. He then continued his studies at the University of Miami School of Medicine, earning an MD degree in 1977. He served proudly in the United States Army as a physician, receiving honorable discharge at the rank of Major in 1982.

Dave was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pathology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine for twenty years, from 1993 to 2013, and he remained there as a contributing Emeritus Professor until his death. During his tenure as Chairman, he led the department’s modernization initiatives in molecular medicine, computer technology, and medical informatics through the recruitment of a very distinguished research and physician faculty. His passion for teaching medical students, training residents, and sharing his wealth of professional knowledge with his colleagues took him all around the world. Dave eagerly assumed leadership positions in several national and international Pathology professional organizations where his skills as a physician executive were valued through many decades of selfless service. He was a friend and mentor to generations of scientists and medical doctors who admired his warmth, humor, humility, and tremendous generosity of spirit. He was a true leader who inspired excellence through example, and he will be greatly missed by all those who worked with him and for him.

While his professional accomplishments were many, Dave was a family man above all else. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Judy; daughters Jill Wilkinson, Julie Crain (Jonathan), and Virginia O’Neil (Robbie); grandchildren Nicole Murphy (Gabriel), Kelli Schindel (Cade), Abigail Journell (Chase), Sydney O’Neil, Harlynne Crain, and Canyon Crain; great grandson Doss David Journell; and countless friends, colleagues, and staff members.

To honor his memory, a service will be held on January 18th, 2025, at 1 pm in the auditorium at Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building on the VCU School of Medicine Campus.

Address: 1217 E Marshall St, Richmond, Va 23219

Parking details: VCU medical center parking deck, 529 North 12th St, Richmond, Va 23298

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that you would consider donating blood to the American Red Cross or make a donation to the Massey Cancer Center in remembrance of Dr. David S. Wilkinson.