The Arts at the University of Virginia lost a tireless advocate, devoted friend, and exacting partner with the passing of Gertrude B. Weber on January 6, 2015. Born in New York City in 1918, Gertrude lived a fascinating life fueled by a passion for the arts and the environment, and characterized by a legendary dedication to excellence in all pursuits. 

This dedication could be found while working alongside her husband, Frederick Palmer Weber a Triple-Hoo (College ’34,’38,’40), on political campaigns and in and around the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s. It translated to a love of the culinary arts that was fostered through a longtime friendship with the famed food critic Craig Claiborne, whom she often accompanied as he reviewed restaurants for The New York Times. 

Gertrude turned her love of fine art and antiques into a lifelong pursuit that saw her run a successful antiques business and amass a world-class art collection. The secret to that success, according to her son Michael Weber, Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology and former director of the U.Va. Cancer Center, was her remarkable vision for what was possible - even when, and perhaps especially when, others couldn’t see it.

“My mother could identify challenges and adversities as opportunities to really do something,” he said. For instance, upon her arrival to Charlottesville, she set out to turn Malvern, a dilapidated 1795 farm property, into a place that is today on both the Virginia and United States Register of Historic Places, and home to a world class art and antique collection.

Fortunately for those at the University and throughout the Charlottesville community, Gertrude Weber saw that same potential for the arts here at the University. She played a vital role in the refurbishment of Old Cabell Hall, was a dedicated patron of the Monticello Trio and the Tuesday Evening Concert Series, endowed a music lectureship, and provided initiative and support for the creation of the music building’s murals by Lincoln Perry. Her support and leadership was instrumental to The Fralin Museum of Art’s first accreditation, and she helped establish the Museum’s collection of baroque and renaissance prints.

Her impact on the University extended beyond the arts, as she helped fundraise for three endowed professorships in her husband’s name, including two in the Medical School and one in the Law School. She also provided direct research support in Neurology and Allergy as well as supported Cancer research.

“Gertrude Weber was more than a supporter of the Arts at U.Va. and throughout our community,” said Music Department Chair Richard Will. “She was a force who taught us lasting lessons about what it means to pursue, and in fact, to demand excellence. We are richer as an arts community for having had the privilege of knowing and working with her.”

Gertrude Weber’s lasting accomplishments derived from her insistence on excellence. In fact, her son said, “finding the right way to express this delayed her obituary by a matter of days, as family members sent, revised, and re-sent drafts until finally landing on the one they felt would meet her standards.” The obituary closed with a nod to her exacting nature, as they thanked “the many people who remained her friends in spite of, or because of, the intensity of her passion for excellence.”