Brenton (“Brent”) Shaw Halsey, age ninety-six (96), died on May 28th, 2023.

Brent’s greatest love was his wonderful family. He was devoted to and took great pride in this close knit and loyal gang. He is predeceased by his adored wife of seventy (70) years, Lindsay Graham Halsey, by his loyal and loving son, Brenton S. Halsey, Jr., and by his brother, John S. Halsey. He is survived by his three daughters and their spouses, Liza and John Perrin, Kate and Phil Edris and Melanie and Guy Crittenden; by his daughter-in-law, Corell Halsey Moore and her husband, Thurston Moore; by sixteen (16) grandchildren, Rawleigh Taylor and his wife, Polly; Halsey Perrin Ash and her husband, Griffin; Caroline Perrin Garson and her husband, Will; Catherine (“Catty”) Perrin; Sam Corey and his wife, Erin; Kane Corey and his wife, Taylor; Mason Corey and his wife, Katherine; Katie Corey Funk and her husband, Will; Lindsay Crittenden Leonard and her husband, Charlie; Alexis Crittenden; Melanie Crittenden; Brent Halsey III and his husband, Ian; Ali Halsey Breeden and her husband, Wood; Philip Halsey and his wife, Alee; Christian Halsey; and Thurston Moore; and by thirteen (13) great-grandchildren (soon-to-be fifteen). Brent is also survived by the family’s caretaker and family counselor for sixty-five (65) years, Rosebud Houston, his loyal long-time assistant, Joanne Moss, and his loving caretakers, Vashti, Gordon, Nancy, Mary and Nancy.

Brent graduated from the Episcopal High School in 1945, attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy (King’s Point), and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1951 with a degree in chemical engineering. He made an impact at UVA through his membership in the Raven Society and his endowment of the Brenton S. Halsey Distinguished Visiting Professorship in Chemical Engineering. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy in Korea. A native of Newport News, he has resided in Richmond for seventy (70) years.

Aside from his family, Brent devoted his time to four major interests: his business, the Richmond Community, History and Education, and Sailing and Nautical Affairs.

Brent was Chairman, CEO and co-founder, together with Robert C. Williams, of the James River Corporation, a manufacturer of consumer, packaging and communication papers, until his retirement in 1992. Under his leadership, the corporation grew from a small, single plant operation in Richmond, Virginia into a Fortune 100 international firm with over 100 operating locations in North America and Europe and which, in 1986, was ranked as the world’s largest manufacturer of paper. Continued growth brought annual sales to approximately $8 billion in 1990, when he retired as CEO. His leadership was permeated by a belief that scrupulous adherence to ethics in all transactions would ultimately result in a corporation of choice for customers, suppliers, employees and shareholders, and that Ownership, in various forms, was the key to employee motivation and satisfaction. These values were documented in the “Big Black Book,” the James River Bible, promulgated and preached throughout the organization of 44,000 employees.

As an industry leader, Brent served as Chairman of the American Paper Institute (now American Forest & Paper Association, AF&PA), and his interest in forest conservation led him to the Chairmanship of the American Forest Council and the American Forest Trust. James River Corporation was purchased by Georgia-Pacific Corp. in 2000.

Brent believed that economic development in the City of Richmond is the most important path to reducing poverty. While contributing generously to the many organizations fighting poverty directly in Richmond, Brent believed that his skills were best applied to economic development. He served as the second Chairman of Richmond Renaissance (now Venture Richmond), an organization devoted to the redevelopment of downtown Richmond, and for eighteen (18) years on its Executive Committee. Brent also led the redevelopment of the Richmond riverfront and canals, serving for fifteen (15) years as Chairman of the Richmond Riverfront Corp. and its predecessors, resulting in the restored canals, the Canal Walk, the historical interpretations along the canals, and the resulting commercial development.

Consistent with his admiration for Thomas Jefferson, Brent believed that the future health of our state and nation depends upon an educated electorate with an understanding of our history. Brent held the Chairmanships of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (Monticello) and the Virginia Historical Society (now the Virginia Museum of History & Culture), serving for twenty (20) years on the boards of each. He also served on the board of the American Civil War Center and was a founder of the Richmond Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar.

Brent’s interest in education led him to the Board Chairmanship of St. Catherine’s School, the Vice Chairmanship of St. Christopher’s School as well as the boards of the University of Virginia’s Darden School, St. Paul’s College and the Board of Managers of the Alumni Association of the University of Virginia.

Brent’s avocation was competitive sailboat racing. He raced a series of “Stormking” sailing yachts over a period of thirty (30) years, winning many premier east coast ocean and Bay racing events. Brent particularly enjoyed the camaraderie of the many members of his sailing crew, young and old. He was Commodore of Fishing Bay Yacht Club and served on the Board of Trustees of the New York Yacht Club. He was Chairman and long-time board member of the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Virginia.

Brent was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including designation by the Virginia General Assembly as the State’s Outstanding Virginian in 2001, the award of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from St. Paul’s College, the Outstanding Alumnus Award of the University of Virginia School of Engineering, the Science Museum of Virginia’s first Outstanding Industrialist Award, and induction into the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame.

Brent is the author of three books: James River Corporation, a Personal Memoir; A Sailor’s Course, A Maritime Memoir; and Riverfront Renaissance, the Story of the Rebirth of the Richmond Riverfront.

Brent had many achievements throughout his life, but none greater or more profound than his family. The legacy he leaves behind will live on for generations to come, and his family will miss him dearly.

Guests are invited to a burial and memorial service at Hollywood Cemetery on Thursday, June 1 at 2 p.m., followed by a gathering at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. A livestream of Brenton’s service will be available below. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Venture Richmond, Monticello (Thomas Jefferson Foundation) or the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.