Avery Catlin of Charlottesville, Va., died peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the age of 86. He was a summer resident of Edgartown for nearly 70 years, spending much of his time there sailing the Vineyard waters and tinkering on his boat. For 64 years he was the devoted husband of Edith Reed Catlin. His family includes his son, Avery (Chip) Catlin and his wife, Katherine; daughter, Edith (Winx) Lawrence and her husband, Fran; daughter, Beverly Catlin; and his son, Frederic Catlin and his wife, Alice. He was the grandfather of Jack and Reed Catlin, Jenna, Meredith, and Avery Lawrence and Jessica and Devin Catlin.

Avery Catlin attended St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H., and then the University of Virginia. He was commissioned as an officer in the Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. At the end of the war he returned to the university and obtained a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, and a master’s and PhD in physics. Dr. Catlin devoted his entire career to the university, serving as the associate dean in the school of engineering and applied science and chairman of several departments, and executive vice president of the university from 1974 to 1982. As an early scholar of computer science, he was considered the university’s “father of computing.”

Over his lifetime he was an avid scholar and outdoorsman but was happiest when he and his beloved Edie were off on a sailing adventure on their boat Dorado. He was a longtime member of the Edgartown Yacht Club. Avery will be remembered by all who knew him for the twinkle in his eye and warm smile, his kindness and generosity to others, and his devotion to his family.

A true gentleman, he will be dearly missed.

A service and interment was held on Jan. 20 in Virginia.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the University of Engineering Foundation, 400 Ray C. Hunt Drive, Suite 360, P.O. Box 400256, Charlottesville, VA 22904.