Honor Guard

JAMES CLARK DIEFFENDERFER ‘41

1919 – 2022

James Clark Dieffenderfer died Sept. 16, 2022. Born in West Virginia, he attended VPI and earned his pilot license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program. After graduation, he entered the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he flew 46 combat missions as a B-17 pilot and was decorated with two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Purple Hearts, and three Air Medals. He was an instructor pilot and developed electrical systems over his 29-year military career. After retirement, he continued working in the electrical field with Walt Disney Corporation. His name is listed on the Disney Hall of Fame and the Blacksburg Airport Aviation Wall of Fame.  

 SAMUEL ASTON LOYD JR. ‘45

1924 - 2022  

Samuel Aston "Ackie" Loyd Jr., of Waynesboro, Virginia, died Dec. 1, 2022. He was born Jan. 19, 1924, in Lynchburg, VA. After graduating from Virginia Tech with his degree in mechanical engineering, he served in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Later, he worked for DuPont, Acme Visible Records, and Data Visible. Ackie loved many activities, especially canoeing, camping, and hiking. His true passion was spelunking. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty (Vaught) Loyd, and three brothers. Surviving are his daughter, son, two grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

JOSEPH HOLLEMAN BARLOW SR. ‘50 

1928 –2023 

Joseph Holleman Barlow Sr. died April 27. Born July 21, 1928, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering. After graduation, he was a territory manager for John Deere. In 1953, he married Margaret Taylor of Suffolk VA. He served in the Air Force, assigned to the Office of Special Investigations. In 1959, he bought Cotton Plains Farm near Chuckatuck and raised peanuts, corn, soybeans, cattle, and hogs as well as his three children. He was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Lynn Barlow, two sisters, one sister-in-law, two daughters, one son, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. 

ARCHIE GUTHRIE PHLEGAR ’52

1930 – 2023

Archie Guthrie Phlegar died March 30. Born May 22, 1930, in Pearisburg, Virginia, Archie attended VPI as a member of the Highty-Tighties. He graduated with an engineering degree and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and later worked for the Appalachian Power Company. He was offered a position in Virginia Tech's admission office in 1967. Archie earned his master's and doctorate degrees and became the Director of Admissions until retirement. Archie married his high school sweetheart, Jean Sublett. They enjoyed 40 years of marriage and raised three children. After Jean’s passing, Archie married Barbara Jean Gates in 1993.

CECIL ROGERS MAXSON JR. ‘52

1931 – 2022

 Cecil Rogers "Max" Maxson Jr. died Dec. 8, 2022. Enlisting during the Korean War, he became a lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. He started his civilian career with the Bell Telephone System and retired as the senior vice president of NationsBank. Max served on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors and received multiple prestigious awards, including the university's highest honor, the Ruffner (now Ut Prosim) Medal in 2001. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ann Shirlee Garrett Maxson, two daughters, and two grandchildren.

SAMUEL GORDON BICKFORD JR. ‘53

1932 – 2022

Samuel Gordon Bickford Jr. died Dec. 3, 2022. He was born in Roanoke on Feb. 19, 1932. Sam attended Holland High School in Suffolk, graduating in 1949, was a member of the Class of 1953 at Virginia Tech, and retired from Westmoreland Coal after many years of service. He was a faithful member of Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Faith; brother, John; and second wife, Mary. He is survived by his beloved companion, Alberta; his three children, grandson, two great-granddaughters, and two nephews.

NICHOLAS D. STREET ‘53

1931 – 2023

Nicholas D. Street died Feb. 4. Graduating from the Corps of Cadets in 1953, he served in the U.S. Air Force and later graduated from the University of Richmond Law School. He established the law firm of Street, Street & Street with two of his brothers. He was a founding partner in United Coal Company and a longtime advocate for his hometown of Grundy and Southwest Virginia, supporting many charitable causes. In 2022, Virginia Tech awarded Mr. Street the Ut Prosim Medal for his longstanding support and service. Mr. Street is survived by his wife, Fay H. Street, three children, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a brother.

PERRY RODERICK STUBBS JR. ‘56

1935 – 2022

Perry Roderick Stubbs Jr. died Nov. 29, 2022. Perry was born on Sept. 12, 1935. He graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1952, studied biology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond in 1959. His first dental practice was on Main Street in Pearisburg. Perry served the community for 31 years with a term as president of the Southwest Virginia Dental Society before retiring in 1990. Perry is preceded in death by his parents and sister, and is survived by wife, Brenda Jill Kiser, two children, and five grandchildren.

ROBERT MEREDITH HARRISON ‘61

1940 – 2023

Robert Meredith Harrison died May 16 in Clayton, Georgia. Growing up in West Virginia and Texas, he majored in mechanical engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1965. Robert married Margot McCormick (Sherry) Harrison in 1963 and lived in Norfolk, Virginia, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Akron, Ohio, before moving to the Atlanta area in 1973 where they raised their kids in Lithonia and began their retirement years in Covington in 1997. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sherry, and is survived by two daughters, one son, and one granddaughter.  

HAMPTON VINCENT SNIDOW ‘61

1939 – 2023

Hampton “Vince” Snidow died April 3. He was a member of L Company and received his degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, he was employed by Newport News Shipbuilding for 50 years, leaving for three years to serve in the U.S Army. In 1979, Vince married Nancy. He was a proud supporter of local charities, participating in Relay for Life and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for decades. He was recognized by the American Red Cross for his consistency in blood donations. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, his sister, and many beloved cousins and dear friends.

ROBERT H. GREFE ‘62

1941 – 2023

Robert H. Grefe, age 82, of Massapequa, New York died March 23. Beloved husband of Dorothy. Loving father of Janet (Paul), James (Jodi), and Jenn (Ray). Cherished grandfather of Emily, Kieran, True, Julian, Remi, Zachary, and Grace. Adored brother of Nancy Cory.

JAMES T. FLYNN JR. ‘64

1941 – 2023

James T. Flynn Jr. died March 5. Jim was born in Queens, New York and earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and a master's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He served in the U.S. Army, retiring from U.S. Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel. He dedicated his career to higher education administration and retired from the Virginia Community College System at Wytheville. Settling in Blacksburg, he was an active volunteer with Virginia Tech, the Corps, and the Rotary Club. Jim is survived by two children and five grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen Aulbach Flynn, his parents, brother, and sister.

WILLIAM LEWIS SMITH ‘64

1942 – 2022

William “Bill” Lewis Smith died Dec. 23, 2022. He received his degree in architecture and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vietnam. A recipient of the Bronze Star, he was assigned as a Combat Engineering Instructor at Fort Belvoir, VA. Later, Bill worked for architect Frederick Hyland and became a partner with Highfill-Smith Associates, a founding partner of Courtside West, and a member of AIA. He also served as the Deputy Director of General Services for Henrico County. Predeceased by his parents, Bill is survived by wife, Linda Sue Coffey Smith, three children, and six grandchildren.

JOSEPH RICHARD INGE ‘69

1947 – 2023

   Joseph Richard “Joe” Inge died March 23. He received his degree in agricultural economics and proudly served over 38 years in the U.S. Army. He achieved the rank of lieutenant general before his retirement in 2007. Joe continued to serve his country and community in retirement, led disaster and preparedness exercises in 22 African nations, and served on the boards of several foundations and not-for-profit organizations. He received the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021. Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda, two children, six grandchildren, and two sisters. Joe reunited in heaven with his brother.

CHARLES WADDELL CARTWRIGHT JR. ‘70

1948 – 2023

Charles “Chip” Waddell Cartwright Jr. died Feb. 3. Chip was the first in his family to attend college, receiving a degree in forestry and wildlife management. He served the U.S. Air Force and made history in the U.S. Forest Service as the first Black employee to achieve the positions of District Ranger, Forest Supervisor, and Regional Forester. He received Virginia Tech’s Influential Black Alumni Ut Prosim Award in 2021. His memories will be carried on by his wife, Daisy, his two children and their mother, three grandsons, six younger siblings and their spouses, nieces, nephews, and friends.

JOSEPH EDGAR YATES JR.  ‘71

1949 – 2022

Joseph E. Yates Jr. died Dec 24, 2022. A Highty-Tighty alumnus, Joe worked for the City of Salem for over 32 years, retiring as the Director of Planning and Economic Development. After retirement, Joe worked for Balzer and Associates for ten years. Joe started as a drummer banging out tunes on his crib and played in many local bands, including the Rhythm Doctors as the lead singer and frontman. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lynne Arnold Yates, a sister, and many nieces and nephews.   

 

Johns H. Redd ’29, South Charleston, West Virginia, 5/12/2023

William C. Price ’41, Charleston, South Carolina, 11/25/2022

Robert E. Davenport ’43, New York, New York, 11/23/2022

William B. Gwathmey ’43, Walkerton, Virginia, 3/14/2023

Rutherford B. Thompson ’44, Sanford, Florida, 11/15/2022

John A. Johnson ’44, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 12/24/2022

Thomas M. Starling ’45, Fayetteville, Georgia, 2/5/2023

William D. Lusk ’45, Greensboro, North Carolina, 12/8/2022

Herbert M. Mandel ’45, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 3/11/2023

Claude C. Arthur ’45, Richmond, Virginia, 12/20/2022

Herman Lieberman ’46, Demarest, New Jersey, 1/8/2023

Paul N. Lesner ’46, Norfolk, Virginia, 4/18/2023

Ridgway M. Dunton ’47, Onancock, Virginia, 4/26/2023

James T. DiPiazza ’47, Pompton Plains, New Jersey, 2/9/2023

David S. Farmer ’48, Farmville, Virginia, 12/2/2022

Leon O. Spiers ’49, Gordonsville, Virginia, 3/13/2023

Ulus W. Massie ’49, Marion, Virginia, 1/11/2023

Charles W. Moore ’49, Martinsville, Virginia, 4/6/2023

George R. Goodson ’49, Newport News, Virginia, 2/13/2023

Edwin W. Rice ’49, Reedville, Virginia, 1/1/2023

Marvin A. Stahl ’50, Bedford, Indiana, 5/10/2023

William H. Sutherland ’50, St. Paul, Virginia, 4/1/2023

Frank A. Faison ’51, Danville, Virginia, 3/26/2023

Leslie C. Pugh ’51, Floyd, Virginia, 12/5/2022

William A. Rule ’51, Monterey, Virginia, 3/17/2023

John H. Neblett ’51, Richmond, Virginia, 4/25/2023

Roger R. Neel ’51, Riner, Virginia, 12/4/2022

Whiteford D. Grimes ’52, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 12/22/2022

William M. Mandeville ’52, Flushing, New York, 11/15/2022

Charles M. White ’52, Fort Mill, South Carolina, 3/9/2023

Thurman G. Copeland ’52, Franklin, Virginia, 3/4/2023

Billy O. Moody ’52, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, 11/11/2022

Mills A. Riddick ’52, Mount Dora, Florida, 12/8/2022

Dorris N. Stidham ’52, Orange Park, Florida, 12/30/2022

Mack W. Bullard ’52, Roanoke, Virginia, 4/14/2023

Henry H. Buc ’52, Salisbury, North Carolina, 3/24/2023

Robert W. Harvill ’52, Staunton, Virginia, 3/31/2023

Thomas S. Smith ’52, Washington, Pennsylvania, 3/31/2023

Dorphus M. Hambrick ’52, Waynesboro, Virginia, 2/20/2023

Thomas Stark ’53, Amelia, Virginia, 12/10/2022

Richard S. Andrews ’53, Florence, South Carolina, 12/13/2022

Michael H. Kelly ’53, Manassas, Virginia, 4/12/2023

James A. Hepner ’53, Maurertown, Virginia, 11/22/2022

Robert L. Detterman ’53, Thousand Oaks, California, 12/28/2022

George W. Mills ’53, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 12/31/2022

L. Ward Edwards ’53, Winchester, Virginia, 11/19/2022

Fred T. Craig ’54, Birmingham, Alabama, 5/6/2023

James P. Beard ’54, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 12/11/2022

Joseph H. Swink ’54, Johnson City, Tennessee, 11/11/2022

Lenoir H. Lewis ’54, Lady Lake, Florida, 3/10/2023

Harvey L. Hotinger ’54, Lexington, Virginia, 1/30/2023

Courtland C. Keeter ’54, Newsoms, Virginia, 2/4/2023

Thomas K. Daughtrey ’54, Sandston, Virginia, 1/12/2023

William H. Martin ’54, Simpsonville, South Carolina, 4/22/2023

William C. Latham ’55, Haymarket, Virginia, 11/7/2022

Albert H. Barnes ’55, Knoxville, Tennessee, 3/16/2023

Robert R. Cromer ’55, Nokesville, Virginia, 11/20/2022

Ralph N. Greenway ’55, Salem, Virginia, 12/21/2022

Royer K. Lewis ’55, Springfield, Virginia, 2/27/2023

John E. Mocha ’55, Walterboro, South Carolina, 4/14/2023

Leon R. Pleasant ’55, Warrenton, Virginia, 12/17/2022

John S. Stacy ’56, Bluefield, Virginia, 4/11/2023

John L. Miller ’56, Bridgewater, Virginia, 2/23/2023

Charles D. Bowman ’56, Cary, North Carolina, 4/2/2023

Arlen T. Powers ’56, Dacula, Georgia, 2/23/2023

Alvin W. Kagey ’56, Fincastle, Virginia, 3/16/2023

John R. Little ’56, Lugoff, South Carolina, 2/22/2023

John M. Richardson ’56, Martinsville, Virginia, 5/10/2023

Randolph J. Maupin ’56, McGaheysville, Virginia, 12/19/2022

William R. Mitchell ’56, Mechanicsville, Virginia, 2/22/2023

Alexander T. Baskerville ’56, Orange, Virginia, 5/14/2023

Robert B. Oliver ’57, Blacksburg, Virginia, 12/1/2022

Grady M. Brown ’57, Colonial Heights, Virginia, 4/17/2023

Kenneth E. Whetzel ’57, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 2/14/2023

Lee G. Scripture ’57, Heathsville, Virginia, 11/8/2022

Richard D. Chumney ’57, Mechanicsville, Virginia, 5/2/2023

Charles C. Laney ’57, Portsmouth, Virginia, 11/6/2022

Robert W. Birdsong ’57, Yorktown, Virginia, 12/18/2022

Charles W. Seaver ’58, Abingdon, Virginia, 5/3/2023

William C. Wingfield ’58, Collinsville, Virginia, 11/2/2022

Bruce M. Scott ’58, Fairfax, Virginia, 1/17/2023

Donald T. Hundley ’58, Norristown, Pennsylvania, 11/25/2022

Joseph V. Crowling ’58, Rixeyville, Virginia, 1/5/2023

Jerry G. Curtis ’58, Rixeyville, Virginia, 12/21/2022

Morris H. Bell ’58, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 2/2/2023

Earle L. Everton ’58, Winter Haven, Florida, 4/26/2023

Thomas E. Ellers ’59, Clearwater, Florida, 4/23/2023

Richard J. Dillard ’59, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 1/27/2023

Albert L. Byer ’59, Kingsport, Tennessee, 1/29/2023

Godwin P. Dunn ’59, Kingsport, Tennessee, 5/4/2023

Thomas F. Betz ’59, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 2/22/2023

Ronald D. Oslin ’60, Chattanooga, Tennessee, 12/12/2022

William C. Woods ’60, Hampton, Virginia, 4/20/2023

Joseph A. Barta ’60, Radford, Virginia, 5/4/2023

Donald E. Helton ’61, Abingdon, Virginia, 4/23/2023

Harold H. Speed ’61, Christiansburg, Virginia, 11/22/2022

John R. Potter ’61, Corvallis, Oregon, 11/5/2022

John G. Ashby ’61, Galax, Virginia, 5/15/2023

Leonard J. DeRyder ’61, Hampton, Virginia, 4/3/2023

Robert M. Thompson ’61, Mount Airy, North Carolina, 11/21/2022

Roger C. Mullins ’61, Salem, Virginia, 4/10/2023

John F. Sage ’62, Bland, Virginia, 3/26/2023

James M. Paxton ’62, Henrico, Virginia, 1/5/2023

James Y. Shen ’62, Irvine, California, 2/15/2023

Benjamin J. Hyde ’62, Kempner, Texas, 11/25/2022

Channing G. Williams ’62, Richmond, Virginia, 12/28/2022

Zack E. Osborne ’63, Centerville, Georgia, 4/9/2023

James L. Hall ’63, Daleville, Virginia, 5/9/2023

Roland E. Weaver ’63, Emporia, Virginia, 4/21/2023

Swanson W. Angle ’63, Frisco, Texas, 1/2/2023

Ronald W. Coiner ’63, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 5/13/2023

William D. Harmon ’63, Troy, Michigan, 4/16/2023

Larry P. Buchanan ’64, Greenback, Tennessee, 11/11/2022

Russell H. Coats ’64, Houston, Texas, 2/1/2023

John D. Bolton ’64, Midlothian, Virginia, 1/28/2023

Robert G. Greene ’64, Nickelsville, Virginia, 3/28/2023

Lewis P. Fulcher ’65, Bowling Green, Ohio, 5/9/2023

Joseph M. Bloomer ’65, Chatham, Virginia, 4/19/2023

Albert H. Clark ’65, Cross Junction, Virginia, 2/28/2023

Fred H. Reger ’65, Manassas, Virginia, 4/22/2023

Charles R. Climpson ’65, Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, 2/9/2023

Danny R. Dillon ’65, Roanoke, Virginia, 11/7/2022

Lawrence M. Bonner ’65, Sumter, South Carolina, 1/12/2023

Reese E. Graves ’66, Adamstown, Maryland, 1/25/2023

William L. Baker ’66, Edenton, North Carolina, 3/18/2023

John D. Bradshaw ’66, Suffolk, Virginia, 11/17/2022

John R. Krezel ’67, Moseley, Virginia, 4/26/2023

John T. Morris ’68, Fincastle, Virginia, 12/5/2022

Michael K. Brandon ’68, Midlothian, Virginia, 4/30/2023

William A. Duke ’68, Woodford, Virginia, 11/15/2022

Michael E. Gleason ’69, Williamsburg, Virginia, 4/20/2023

Bruce C. Kidd ’70, Fleming Island, Florida, 12/7/2022

Robert D. Rice ’71, Culpeper, Virginia, 3/19/2023

John E. Huber ’71, Dover, Delaware, 11/5/2022

Jonathan F. Rhodes ’71, Hampton, Virginia, 1/23/2023

David E. Ogle ’71, Woodford, Virginia, 5/19/2023

Stephen N. Bell ’72, Savannah, Georgia, 5/2/2023

Don L. Ferk ’74, Fulton, Missouri, 11/4/2022

Lloyd W. Hofer ’74, Ocala, Florida, 2/25/2023

Benjamin L. Sikes ’77, Port Washington, New York, 2/19/2023

James D. Couch ’84, San Antonio, Texas, 1/22/2023

Michael G. Broaddus ’89, Bowling Green, Virginia, 4/6/2023

Kwang W. Kim ’10, Minnetonka, Minnesota, 2/14/2023