SR 2021

Celebrating the life of Douglas Raymond Rendleman.
Agreed to by the Senate, June 22, 2026
WHEREAS, Douglas Raymond Rendleman, an esteemed legal scholar and law professor, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and beloved member of the Lexington community, died on March 8, 2026; and
WHEREAS, a native of Exira, Iowa, Douglas “Doug” Rendleman attended the University of Iowa for several years, earning a bachelor's degree in political science in 1963, a master's degree in American history in 1965, and a juris doctor degree in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Doug Rendleman clerked for Justice Francis H. Becker at the Iowa Supreme Court, published law review articles in 1969 and 1970, and answered the call to academia by obtaining a master of laws degree from the University of Michigan; and
WHEREAS, over a span of 50 years, Doug Rendleman taught at some of the nation's most distinguished law schools, including the University of Alabama, The College of William and Mary, and Washington and Lee University, while also serving stints as a visiting professor at the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia, and Washington University; and
WHEREAS, Doug Rendleman was the Robert E.R. Huntley Professor of Law Emeritus at Washington and Lee University School of Law and a noted expert in the field of remedies and civil procedure, who espoused his wisdom and ideas both in the classroom and through his writings, including 47 articles, 11 books, many amicus curiae briefs, and countless contributions to symposia; and
WHEREAS, beyond teaching and scholarship, Doug Rendleman supported academia and the legal profession as a member and chair of the American Association of University Professors' Government Relations Committee, as president of the Virginia Conference of the American Association of University Professors, and as an executive committee member and section chair of the Association of American Law Schools; and
WHEREAS, for 30 years, Doug Rendleman served as an elected member of the American Law Institute, guiding the organization's efforts to develop its influential Restatement of the Law series; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his achievements as a scholar and education leader, Doug Rendleman was presented a Lifetime Scholarly Achievement award by the Remedies Section of the Association of American Law Schools in 2021; and
WHEREAS, in his personal time, Doug Rendleman enjoyed bicycling, gardening, and playing billiards, and he was happiest of all when making cherished memories with family and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, Doug Rendleman will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 65 years, Carolyn; his children, Susan, John, Charles, and Benjamin, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Douglas Raymond Rendleman, a revered member of the Lexington community whose legacy of service, mentorship, and scholarship will forever inspire all who knew him; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Douglas Raymond Rendleman as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.