A True W&L Love Story Kimberly Booth Rimmer ’91 and Bobby Rimmer ’90 discovered the power and strength of W&L friendships when faced with tragedy.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
February 18, 2025

Kimberly Booth Rimmer ’91 and Bobby Rimmer ’90 knew each other well at Washington and Lee University but dated other people throughout college. When they reconnected in 1993 in Washington, D.C., “everything fell into place,” Kimberly says.

Read their amazing love story in Kimberly’s own words.

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“We married in April 1995 on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, with a large W&L group in attendance. We lived in D.C. until 1996 and moved to Atlanta. Both cities helped keep our W&L ties strong since both alumni chapters are so big!

“We attended all of our reunions on campus and have been consistent donors. I was on the Atlanta Chapter Board. We have one daughter, Morgan, who graduated from Westminster Schools in Atlanta (where I also went and taught). She went to Vanderbilt University, is 26 and lives in D.C., working as a producer for CNN on Capitol Hill.

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“We were shocked when Bobby was diagnosed with AML — acute myeloid leukemia — in May 2017. He fought a heroic nine-month fight, but we lost him on March 9, 2018.  He had just turned 50.

“Our W&L friends (both in classes of 1990 and 1991) were with us every step of the way for the nine months. We were not alone for one second of our nightmare fight.

“Friends from other parts of our life were in awe of our W&L community rallying around us. They traveled from near and far — some several times — texted, called, sent meals, had Thanksgiving dinner delivered to us, sat with him for hours of chemo and blood transfusions, donated blood, fundraised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in his name, sat at hospice with him, spent the night with him — they showed up in more ways and days than I can count. When we knew it was close and I wouldn’t leave his side, it was our W&L friends who flew to town, cleaned our house, polished the silver, ordered catering, delivered food and even helped Morgan get a dress for the funeral.

“His Kappa Alpha pledge class had planned to come to Atlanta to watch some of March Madness with him, but he went downhill fast. For those who could not change their plans and get there earlier in time for the funeral, they still all came on the planned weekend (two weeks after he died), and we had a small graveside gathering and dinner together. Some of my close W&L girlfriends that couldn’t make the funeral decided to come the same weekend, too! All of these actions are love. These friendships represent a true love story, too.

“In the last seven years without Bobby, these W&L friends still are close. We travel together annually and still attend reunions. Our W&L friendships are our priority. There are not any colleges that I know of that create lasting relationships/relationships that pass the tests of time — of good and bad. These are the people we call in the middle of the night. We are godparents to each other’s children and are now attending our children’s weddings.

“While our love story has a sad ending on the surface, and it is still painful … the second love story is what W&L gave us: ties that bind and support beyond the fun memories of our years in Lexington. I am forever grateful that W&L shared Bobby with me and gave these amazing friends to us!”