August 11, 2008
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I. FROM THE OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

NOTED SCIENTIST, BC ALUMNUS EVERETTE L. MAY PASSES AT 94

Dr. Everette Lee May, who was one of the country’s most distinguished scientists and a 1935 graduate of Bridgewater College, died on Aug. 9, 2008, in Richmond, Va., at the age of 94. He was born Aug. 1, 1914, in Timberville, Va., the son of Lee and Ida Hinegardner May. At Bridgewater College, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball, and majored in chemistry and minored in mathematics. Dr. May went on to earn his doctorate at the University of Virginia in 1939.

When Dr. May began his career, scientists were struggling to synthesize a medication that could deliver pain relief while avoiding the side effect of addiction. Dr. May took up this challenge and developed a new class of pain-relieving compounds known as benzomorphans. He also was recognized internationally for synthesizing the compound LAMM, which was used to combat heroin addiction, which was approved by the FDA in 1993. With more than 200 publications to his credit, he also held seven patents and won numerous awards. He served on many national and international committees and boards.

Dr. May was a faithful financial supporter of Bridgewater College. One of the funds he enjoyed contributing to was the Lee and Ida Hinegardner May scholarship fund established for his parents. He was a past president of the BC Alumni Association’s board of directors and was named Bridgewater’s Alumnus of the Year in 1959.

Dr. May was married to Lois Marie Lee, ’37, who died in 1964. In 1965, he married Helen Virginia Sheehy, who survives him. He is also survived by his sons E. Lee May Jr. and Philip A. May; stepdaughters Virginia L. Turner and Victoria L. Hussion; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A celebration of Dr. May’s life will be held on Aug. 13 at Three Chopt Presbyterian Church in Richmond.

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