The FBA and its members remember the friends of the association who may be gone, but not forgotten.  We value their service to the community through their work toward justice and hope that this may serve as a tribute to them.

In Memoriam Archives: 2022

Robert F. Horan Jr., Esq. 

Robert F. Horan, Jr., died on October 28, 2022, at his home in Clifton, Virginia, with his family by his side.

Robert F. Horan, Jr. was born October 11, 1932, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Robert and Margaret Horan. He grew up in New Brunswick, New Jersey, with his two sisters and three brothers. He graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College in 1954 and subsequently joined the Marine Corps. In the Marine Corps, he met his wife, Monica. They were married on October 26, 1957. He then attended Georgetown Law School and graduated in 1961.

After graduating from law school, Robert practiced law in private practice with fellow marine, Richard Dixon. He also spent two years as an assistant prosecutor in the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. He was appointed to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s position in Fairfax County in 1967 when Ralph Louk stepped down. He subsequently won election later in the year and was reelected Commonwealth’s Attorney of Fairfax County until he retired in 2007. At the time he retired, he was the longest serving Commonwealth’s Attorney in the Commonwealth of Virginia. That record was subsequently broken by his good friend and fellow Commonwealth’s Attorney, Paul Ebert.

Robert prosecuted many high profile cases during his 40 years of service to Fairfax County, handling the trials of these matters himself. Among the many prominent cases that he prosecuted were James L. Breeden, who was convicted of killing four people in a walk in refrigerator at Roy Rogers; Mir Aimal Kausi, who was convicted of killing two employees and wounding three others at the CIA; Lee Boyd Malvo, who along with John Mohammad was convicted of killing ten people in northern Virginia, the District and Maryland; and Alfred Prieto, who was convicted of killing two people in Fairfax.

During his long 40 year career serving Fairfax County, he had over 150 assistants in his office. Some of them went on to be judges, both at the state and federal level, as well as Commonwealth’s Attorneys in various jurisdictions.

Robert was an avid golfer and once won a Mercedes Benz for hitting a hole in one in a tournament in which he was competing.

Robert continued in the Marine Corps Reserves and he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1992.

Mr. Horan is survived by his wife, Monica, his sister, Cecelia Keefe and spouse, and his brother, Richard, his three sons and their spouses, Robert, III, and Angela, Kevin and Timothy and Pamela. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Jennifer, Timothy, and Margaret.

Betsy Sue Scott, Esq. 

Betsy Sue Scott, a long time member of the Fairfax Bar Association, passed away on September 25, 2022, after a brief illness.

Betsy Sue (née Mackta) was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Belle Harbor, NY with parents, Dr. Leo Mackta and Regina Katz Mackta.

She received a B.A. in Political Science and French Literature from Hamilton College in 1972, and her J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1976. She began her law practice in the trust departments of financial institutions, including Manufacturers Hanover in New York and later First Virginia Bank in Northern Virginia.

She entered government service first at the Labor Department where she worked in the regulation of pension fund. She subsequently joined the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), serving as OFAC’s head of the Civil Penalties Division and as a Sanction Advisor, advising many different agencies on the enforcement of economic sanctions.

Admitted to practice law in Virginia, the District of Columbia, New York, and Pennsylvania, she was very active in several bar associations, including the Virginia Women’s Attorney Association of which she served as President.

She volunteered her time with many charitable organizations including Every Citizen Has Opportunities, Inc. (ECHO), the Loudoun Senior Interest Network and the Diocesan Homes Board of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.

She is survived by her husband of forty-one years, Thomas J. Scott, Jr. of Great Falls, Virginia, as well as a daughter, Elspeth Watts Daley and her husband, Nicholas Daley. both of Madison, Wisconsin, a daughter Marghuerita Taylor Scott of Sparks Glencoe, Maryland and a son Thomas J. Scott, III of Reston, Virginia.

Robert ("Bob") Ray Dively, Esq.

Robert (“Bob”) Ray Dively, 64, a long-time Fairfax County attorney, community activist, and devoted family man, died July 11 at his home in Summerville, S.C. He suffered a sudden, unexplained illness. Mr. Dively was born in Bellwood, PA on March 5, 1958, but his family moved to Springfield, VA when he was six months old. He graduated from Annandale High School (1976) where he served as editor of the high school newspaper, was an Eagle Scout, and an avid Cross-Country runner. Until he retired in 2020, he lived exclusively in Fairfax County, most recently in Clifton.

Mr. Dively attended the University of Virginia from 1976 - 1983, receiving degrees in Political and Social Thought with High Distinction (1980 – Phi Beta Kappa), studying in a directed studies program under Professor Larry Sabato and in law (Juris Doctor 1983). He served as Law School representative for the UVA Honor System (1982 - 1983) and President of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society (Spring 1981). At UVA, Mr. Dively displayed his life-long love of reading and intellectual discourse, especially philosophy, history, religion and political thought, always wielding wit, wisdom, and good nature notwithstanding, and in fact welcoming, friends with alternative views.

Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Dively joined his father, Robert Roy Dively, at Dively & Thompson in Tysons Corner practicing real estate, family and trusts and estates law until being appointed in 1999 an Assistant Attorney General for Virginia by then Attorney General Mark Earley. Upon departing the Virginia Attorney General’s office in late 2000, Mr. Dively served for six years on the Fairfax County Board of Zoning and until retirement practiced eminent domain law, including proudly representing the Virginia Department of Transportation. Throughout his years as a lawyer, Mr. Dively was actively involved in the Fairfax County community, serving three terms on the Fairfax County Bond Committee, two terms on the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee, as Coordinator of the Sully Community Coalition, and was appointed by Governor Gilmore to serve on the State Executive Council for At-Risk Youth and families. For his many community services to the Sully District Community, the Fairfax Board of Supervisors named him “Lord Fairfax” in 2001.

Above all, Mr. Dively lived life to its fullest, always devoted to his family. He was happily married to Kathy Dively (nėe Derdevanis) for 36 years with whom he shared travel adventures, abundant and constant laughs, and several wonderful rescue dogs. He ran marathons starting at age 39. He enjoyed being a Scout Leader for Troop 577 (Clifton, VA). In addition to his wife, Mr. Dively is survived by four children – Kristy Bahr (Steve) of Centreville, VA, Jackie Dively Brown Ulloa (Cesar) of Centreville, VA, Rob Dively (Roxana) of Woodbridge, VA, and Tommy Dively of Los Angeles and five grandchildren – Ava, Carter, Elijah, Isabella and Jade. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth Lauro (Lino) of Los Angeles and his nieces, Sofia and Olivia. Mr. Dively was predeceased by his father and mother, Bob and Mona (nėe Maurer) Dively.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations, if any, be made to Lakeside Animal Rescue, c/o Robin Nichols and Shannon Jones, P.O. Box 571, Holly Hill, S.C. 29059 or to the animal rescue organization of your choosing.

Charles James Swedish, Esq.

Charles James Swedish, 63, of Vienna, Va., died on March 6, of respiratory failure at Fairfax Inova Hospital. He passed to the heavenly realm with his loving wife, Julia, by his side. Survivors include his three sons, Alexander and Nicholas Swedish, university students in Bucharest, Romania, and Andrew Vergara, of Northern Virginia. He is also survived by his mother, Elaine Swedish-Rimmer, of Medford, NY; and brothers and sister: Gregory and his wife, Ann, of Rocky Point, NY; Christopher and his wife, Miriama, of Seattle; and sister Kristen Swedish Reilly and her husband Steve, of Plandome, NY. He is predeceased by his father, Charles P. Swedish. “Chuck, ” as he was known to family and friends, practiced private law in Northern Virginia for more than 30 years. He was a graduate of George Mason School of Law and an honors philosophy graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. He was an infinitely curious person, happy learning and discussing politics, history, philosophy, and all things that contributed to a more just society. He was proud of his sons and reveled in their academic, creative, and athletic accomplishments – and most of all, that they strived to be good, decent humans. He traveled to Romania, his wife’s homeland, and Sri Lanka, to spend precious time with his family. He loved all three sons and appreciated their unique talents. He read widely about philosophy and politics. Justice and democracy were his guiding lights, along with a deep connection to his Catholic faith and Lithuanian heritage.

Gilbert K. Davis, Esq.

Gilbert K. Davis, 79, a Northern Virginia general practice lawyer, passed peacefully on Sunday, February 13, 2022, in Fairfax, Virginia, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Gilbert was born October 2, 1942, in Waterloo, IA, the son of Dr. Dwight M. and Alice Fredrickson Davis. He attended school in Moline, Illinois, where his father was superintendent of schools and his mother was a schoolteacher. Gil graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He taught school in Iowa City, Iowa, and coached basketball.

Gilbert commenced his law career after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1969 when he was appointed by the Attorney General of the United States as an Assistant US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. He prosecuted the panoply of federal crimes which included several “firsts.” These included the first aircraft hijacking in America; the first case under the Clean Air Act; the first case under the 1968 Gun Control Act; and the first Director of the United States Marshall Service who was the first high Nixon official to be imprisoned. Mr. Davis authored the Criminal Procedure Manual for the Eastern District of Virginia. He successfully tried cases in twenty states and the District of Columbia.

In 1973, Mr. Davis started private practice in the law firm of Duvall, Tate, Bywater, and Davis. He filed a case against Bethlehem Steel Corporation on behalf of a Kentucky mountaineer who claimed ownership of the coal under his land. The litigation started when the mountaineer brandished a gun which worked to cause the survey team to skedaddle. At that time, taking the law into their own hands was a way of life. This was in Pike County where the Hatfields and McCoys had their feud. Indeed, a deputy sheriff threatened Mr. Davis to leave Pikeville, twenty-one years later, in 1995, when the litigation was concluded. Nevertheless, the local citizens have continued to receive Mr. Davis as a hero. The judgment was the largest unliquidated damage award in Kentucky history.

In the first lawsuit against a sitting President in United States history, Mr. Davis’s client, Paula Corbin Jones, sued the president for unwanted sexual conduct. Monica Lewinsky became known in Mrs. Jones’s deposition of the President. This led to the president’s impeachment for perjury. The President appealed to the US Supreme Court that he was immune from private lawsuits while serving as president. The Court disagreed with President Clinton, agreeing instead with Mr. Davis’s argument that no man, including a sitting president is above the law and in a unanimous 9 – 0 decision ruled that Mr. Clinton must submit to the immediate litigation process. During these oral arguments, Mr. Davis was warned that jokes were not permitted; nevertheless, his quick wit and vivacity had the justices laughing.

He was Chairman of both the University of Virginia and Virginia Young Republican Clubs. Mr. Davis served as Parliamentarian of the Ronald Reagan White House Conference on Small Business. Gil was a longtime member of the Fairfax County Republican Committee and served leadership roles for federal and state Republican candidates for public office. He also served as General Counsel and as Parliamentarian for the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee. Gil was a member of the Rotary Club of Bailey’s Crossroads.

Gilbert has one sibling Trevor (Linda) Davis, a retired Methodist minister in Burlington, Iowa. Gil married his high school sweetheart, Pamela Saunders Schofield in 1964. They have two daughters, Luanne (Lat) Inn and Heidi Solis, both of Centreville, VA. Luanne and Heidi are both elementary school teachers in Fairfax County, Virginia. Gilbert was blessed with seven grandchildren who he absolutely adored: Rivanna Morgan; Alicia, Andre, Ari, and Maryah Solis; Juliette and Rosalie Inn. Gil and Pam separated in 1995 but shared many happy memories together as a family. Gilbert never remarried. He was preceded in death by both of his parents. Gilbert was a Christian man of great faith. Though Alzheimer’s robbed him of many things, it never robbed Gilbert of his great sense of humor, wit, charm, kindness to others, the joy of music, the love of his children and grandchildren, and his trust and faith in Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Gilbert’s family would like to thank all the staff of Manorcare Heath Care Services - Fair Oaks who loved and cared for him the last years of his life, especially through the twenty months of the pandemic lockdown. He was treated with love, respect, and great care. We are forever grateful.

Jonathan Y. Short, Esq.

Jonathan Y. Short A longtime resident of northern Virginia, died in Raleigh, NC, on February 3, 2022 after a courageous battle with pneumonia. Jonathan was born in Williamsburg, VA on March 25, 1960 to Catherine (Cathy) Yates Short and the late James R. Short. His father worked for Colonial Williamsburg, and Jonathan experienced an idyllic childhood growing up in one of the few remaining original 18th century houses, playing football on the Palace Green, and taking harpsicord lessons in front of the tourists. He was Student Council President at Lafayette High School, and was frequently the lead in the drama department's musical productions, with one of his more memorable roles being Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady.

After graduating from high school Jonathan attended Duke University where he pledged the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and managed the lacrosse team. He graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Political Science, and then obtained his Juris Doctor from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. After passing the Virginia Bar, Jonathan opened a law practice in Alexandria, VA where he specialized in criminal defense. He believed that people accused of crimes deserved not just a defense, but a zealous and energetic advocate. Throughout his 30- year career, Jonathan practiced law relentlessly as a court appointed attorney for courts in Alexandra, Arlington County, Prince William County, and Fairfax County.

Jonathan enjoyed Duke basketball, a good game of poker, and fine bourbon, but his passion was music. He began singing in The Men and Boys Choir at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg at a young age, and also sang with the Williamsburg Baptist Church Choir. While at Duke he was a member of the Chapel Choir. After moving to the Washington Metropolitan area Jonathan began performing with the Oratorio Society of Washington, which later became The Washington Chorus, and toured with them in France in July 2004. He also sang with the City Choir of Washington, and performed with them during a tour of England in July 2018. In addition, Jonathan was a long time member of the University Baptist Church Choir in College Park, MD.

On January 14, 1995 Jonathan married the former Anne Bracket at Williamsburg Baptist Church. They enjoyed 27 years of travel, adventure, competing with each other in Jeopardy, and involvement in various groups at University Baptist Church. They moved to Raleigh, NC in August 2020. Jonathan was preceded in death by his father, and a niece Virginia Short. He is survived by his wife Anne, his mother, Catherine Short of Williamsburg, VA, his brother and sister-in-law, David and Betsy Short of Greensboro, GA, and their daughters Abigail, Shannon and Jennifer. Other survivors consist of in-laws James Bracket of Wichita Falls, TX, Joseph and Dawn Bracket of Lewisville, TX and their children Rebecca and Thomas, Catherine and Brent Hendrickson of Blain, MN, their daughter Julia and son Vanya, Cecilia and Daniel Edington of Wichita, KS, and a host of cousins scattered across the United States and Australia.

As a final act of service and generosity, Jonathan directed his body be donated to the Duke School of Medicine where he will become a Silent Teacher to medical students.