Honor Guard

Spring 2020 Corps Review

George Washington Habel Jr. ’42

1921 – 2020

George W. Habel Jr. died March 16. Raised in Nelson County, Virginia, he left for Virginia Tech in 1938. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and an ROTC engineering student. He joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and the 66th Topographic Engineering Company. After the war, he worked for the Virginia Department of Highways, mapping and building new roads. He was credited with many innovations in the Aerial Survey Department, where he was a photogrammetric engineer. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Rachel. He is survived by a daughter and a son.

James Madison Pollard Jr. ’50

1928 - 2019

James “Jimmie” Pollard died June 20, 2019. He was a lifelong resident of Ashland, Virginia. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and was a member of the Corps of Cadets and ROTC, earning a commission in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. After two years of active military duty, he joined his father in the family business and became president of J.M. Pollard & Sons Inc. A true and loyal Hokie for over 70 years, he served as president of the Ashland Hokie Club. Survivors include his devoted wife, Marilyn; two daughters; and two sons.

Ernest Dewey Stoneman ’50

1929 - 2020

Ernest D. Stoneman died Jan. 26. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Virginia Tech, where he was in the Corps of Cadets. After graduation, he served during the Korean War as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Following active duty, he served in the Reserves for six years, attaining the rank of captain. He was a member of Liberty Baptist and enjoyed singing in the Heart Throbs senior choir. He married Anne Gertrude Overman on June 14, 1952, and they were inseparable for 65 years. He is survived by a daughter and a son.

George Bruce McFadden ’57

1934 - 2019

G. Bruce McFadden died Oct. 28, 2019. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1957 and a master’s degree in hospital administration from the Medical College of Virginia in 1961. He was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and then worked in hospital administration in the northeastern U.S. He held numerous professional and service posts, concluding as vice president of the Westfield Board of Education. Survivors include his wife, Lois; a daughter; and a son.

Phillip Edmund Barnard ’60

1938 - 2020

Phillip “Phil” Barnard died Jan. 21. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education. He was a member of the ROTC and the Highty-Tighties. He taught high school before starting at Reynolds Metals Company, where he worked for 32 years. He retired in 1998 and started his own company, which he operated for nine years. He served in the Virginia National Guard and the Army Reserve. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Nellie; a daughter; and two sons.

Timothy M. Todd ’60

1938 - 2019

Timothy “Tim” Todd died Dec. 28, 2019. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1960 with a degree in mining engineering. After a long career, he and his wife retired to Blacksburg, where he immersed himself in all things Hokie. He was a revered plankowner of the Corps of Cadets’ Rat Pack and is interned at the columbarium of Virginia Tech, close enough to hear the cheering from Lane Stadium. Survivors include his wife and best friend Beverley; a daughter; and a son. His grandson, Cameron Shiner, will be a senior in the Corps.

Joe Steven Brodie ’63

1941 - 2019

Joe Steven “Steve” Brodie died Nov. 23, 2019. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1963, where he was a member of the Highty-Tighties and the Highlander Big Jazz Band. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel and retired from Thomaston Mills and Talon Corp. He was a member of Thomaston First United Methodist Church, past president of Thomaston Sertoma Club, chairman of Greater Greensboro Open Golf Tour, and regional director of Sertoma International. He is survived by his wife, Clarice Brodie, and two daughters.

Raymond Reynarld Kirby ’63

1941 - 2020

Raymond R. Kirby died Jan. 27. He attended Virginia Tech, was in the Corps of Cadets, and graduated in 1963. He worked for GE, First National Exchange Bank, and Malone and Hyde Wholesale Grocery in Salem, Virginia. In 1973, he became owner and manager of Ray’s Sureway Supermarket in Floyd, Virginia. After leaving the grocery business, he worked for Radford University, advancing to become director of information technology and chief information officer. He retired in 2006. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Adelene, and a son.

William Early Kirkland ’64

1942 - 2020

William “Bill” Kirkland died Feb. 7. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a degree in business administration. He was a proud member of M Company in the Corps of Cadets. He served two years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army stationed in Okinawa, Japan, before serving as a civilian employee in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 as a retail manager for U.S. Armed Services Post and Base Exchanges. He transitioned to private sector retail management in 1972, working throughout the southern U.S. for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Faye, and a son.

Benjamin Fielding Rolston ’64

1941 - 2019

Fielding Rolston died Sept. 29, 2019. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Virginia Tech. After graduation, he joined Tennessee Eastman as an industrial engineer. Soon after, he fulfilled his military obligation as a commissioned officer at the Pentagon. After returning to Eastman Chemical, he held a series of positions including two vice president roles. He retired in 2003 with more than 38 years of service. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce; a daughter; and a son.

Richard W. Kates Jr. ’66

1944 - 2019

Richard “Dick” Kates died Nov. 19, 2019. He joined the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech, where he graduated in 1966 with a degree in industrial engineering. He served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He left the military with the rank of captain in 1978 and returned to Blacksburg. It was there he met his wife, Becky, and they both received master’s degrees in industrial engineering 1981. During his career, he worked for various engineering companies. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Rodney Wike Smith ’66

1944 - 2020

Rodney “Rod” Smith died Feb. 8. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Tech in 1966. While there, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, H Company, Gregory Guard, and Cotillion Club. He worked for the Radford Arsenal; Virginia Water Control Board; the Staunton Planning Department; and Patton, Harris, Rust and Guy in Fairfax. He was co-owner of Copper and Smith PC and owner of RW Smith Associates and Waste Resources. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Katherine, and two sons. 

Garland Lee Burch ’67

1945 - 2019

Garland Lee Burch died July 7, 2019. He graduated from Virginia Tech and served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971 in Vietnam. His post-military career as a physical/geotechnical engineer was long and prosperous, working primarily with Raba Kistner Consultants. He is survived by his wife, Wendy, and a son.

John Voorhees Roland ’67

1945 - 2019

John Roland died Oct. 26, 2019. He attended Virginia Tech as a member of the Corps of Cadets, earning his undergraduate and master’s degrees. He joined the U.S. Navy, where he met his wife, Moya, in Hawaii. Following his military service, he worked as an environmental engineer for the Water Control Board for 20 years, and later, the Virginia Asphalt Association in Richmond, Virginia. Survivors include his wife of nearly 46 years, a daughter, and a son.

Forrest Dale Hall Jr. ’68

1946 - 2020

Forrest Dale Hall Jr. died Jan. 5. He graduated from Virginia Tech and was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets’ E Company, graduating in 1968. He also served in many roles with the Rolling Thunder Virginia Chapter 3. He worked for many years in the Washington, D.C., area as a surety bonds agent. He retired to the Northern Neck near Reedville several years ago, a place he always loved. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda, and two sons.

Dirk Frederick Kingma ’69

1945 – 2019

Dirk F. Kingma died Nov. 13, 2019. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Virginia Tech in 1969, then served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy as an air intelligence officer aboard the USS Enterprise. Upon leaving the service, he settled in San Diego and formed Kingma Developers Inc., a real estate development firm, and DFK Enterprises, a real estate brokerage company. He also served as president of the Mission Bay Real Estate Association. He is survived by his wife, Kitty; a daughter; and a stepson.

Lest We Forget

Peyton L. Morgan '43, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1/27/2020

James H. Digges '45, Kihei, Hawaii, 12/28/2019

Stanley Goldsmith '45, Kennewick, Washington, 2/15/2020

A. Nelson Sills '45, Houston, Delaware, 1/24/2020

Robert J. White '45, Kingsport, Tennessee, 3/26/2020

Joseph E. Isaac '47, Lexington, Kentucky, 2/5/2020

Harry W. Philpott '47, Winston Salem, North Carolina, 12/2/2019

Philip I. Karp '48, Bradenton, Florida, 1/15/2020

Samuel T. McNeny '48, Midlothian, Virginia, 12/8/2019

William L. Gunter '49, Apex, North Carolina, 12/9/2019

Paul F. Lumbye '49, Broad Run, Virginia, 3/21/2020

George W. Nickel '49, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 10/30/2019

Augustine W. Robins '49, Yorktown, Virginia, 3/22/2020

Frank H. Sawyer '49, Wilmington, Delaware, 2/29/2020

William B. Smith '49, Willow Spring, North Carolina, 10/8/2019

Edwin J. Williams '49, North Chesterfield, Virginia, 11/24/2019

Richard C. Beck '50, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 12/9/2019

Richard K. Culbertson '50, Blacksburg, Virginia, 1/24/2020

Walton Egelanian '50, Easton, Maryland, 12/15/2019

Robert W. Johnson '50, Midlothian, Virginia, 3/16/2020

Robert L. Waring '50, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 10/16/2019

Melvin W. Bryant '51, Barhamsville, Virginia, 1/19/2020

Robert M. Montgomery '51, Newport News, Virginia, 11/16/2019

Morgan L. Staples '51, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 12/16/2019

Bobby E. Stultz '51, Madison, New Jersey, 3/22/2020

John E. Awalt '52, Rochester, Minnesota, 3/20/2020

George R. Floyd '52, Lutherville, Maryland, 2/16/2020

William T. Green '52, Newport News, Virginia, 10/17/2019

Warren D. Hayes '52, Englewood, Florida, 2/6/2020

Samuel T. Isaac '52, Lexington, Kentucky, 12/1/2019

Robert G. Leonard '52, Front Royal, Virginia, 12/30/2019

Robert G. Montgomery '52, Lynchburg, Virginia, 12/4/2019

Edward L. Olson '52, Columbia, North Carolina, 1/24/2020

Edsel R. Rudy '52, Galax, Virginia, 12/22/2019

Aubrey R. Slayton '52, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 12/12/2019

Edgar S. Sturgis '52, Eastville, Virginia, 10/21/2019

B. Gordon Watkins '52, Lynchburg, Virginia, 12/24/2019

Claude F. Yelton '52, Pulaski, Virginia, 2/28/2020

Maks A. Etingin '53, New York, New York, 11/17/2019

Clarence F. Golladay '53, Durham, North Carolina, 12/24/2019

Floyd W. Hough '53, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1/17/2020

Robert L. Hundley '53, Mechanicsville, Virginia, 2/20/2020

Wilbert R. Minor '53, Hockessin, Delaware, 10/2/2019

Robert H. Renalds '53, Timberville, Virginia, 1/17/2020

John M. Shumate '53, Roanoke, Virginia, 2/29/2020

Chantland Wysor '53, Flagler Beach, Florida, 11/24/2019

James H. Burkholder '54, Lynchburg, Virginia, 2/10/2020

Joseph M. Elliott '54, Waynesboro, Virginia, 11/4/2019

Charles D. Herb '54, Fairfax, Virginia, 10/28/2019

Albert E. Motley '54, Tampa, Florida, 10/2/2019

Frederick T. Anstey '55, Rustburg, Virginia, 10/7/2019

Thomas J. Blair '55, Charleston, West Virginia, 3/13/2020

George C. Boone II '55, Radford, Virginia, 4/30/2019

Harry M. Francis '55, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 1/29/2020

Thomas B. French '55, Dubuque, Iowa, 3/23/2020

Robert A. Hastings '55, Smithville, Tennessee, 12/1/2019

Arden N. Huff '55, Dugspur, Virginia, 2/10/2020

Ernest M. Jennelle '55, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1/30/2020

George E. Keller '55, Charleston, West Virginia, 10/7/2019

Ralph G. Kester '55, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 12/28/2019

Philip J. Moore '55, Bradenton, Florida, 11/5/2019

Harold P. Remines '55, Abingdon, Virginia, 2/4/2020

H. M. Smith '55, Severna Park, Maryland, 11/23/2019

Herbert R. Alcorn '56, Blacksburg, Virginia, 1/25/2020

Michael O. Efird '56, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 1/29/2020

Paul P. Graham '56, Blacksburg, Virginia, 12/29/2019

Danny J. Long '56, Newton, North Carolina, 11/19/2019

Kenneth C. Moore '56, Providence Forge, Virginia, 10/2/2019

Jack R. Spigle '56, Roanoke, Virginia, 2/21/2020

Jake M. Stone '56, Franklin, Virginia, 12/15/2019

Richard H. Adams '57, Destin, Florida, 11/11/2019

L.D. Higginbotham '57, Amherst, Virginia, 3/25/2020

Randolph C. Hodges '57, Andrews, South Carolina, 3/26/2020

John E. Hubard '57, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 10/1/2019

Wiley E. Ring '57, Kingsport, Tennessee, 11/25/2019

Sterling R. Robinson '57, Austinville, Virginia, 3/6/2020

John B. Tenney '57, Williamson, New York, 2/17/2020

Joseph A. Washington '57, Richmond, Virginia, 12/28/2019

John C. Holladay '58, Norfolk, Virginia, 2/9/2020

James R. Link '58, Reston, Virginia, 11/9/2019

E.T. Moore '58, Durham, North Carolina, 1/21/2020

Andrew L. Nester '58, Floyd, Virginia, 2/1/2020

Andrew T. Roth '58, Springfield, Virginia, 2/15/2020

Otwa L. Meetze '59, Lexington, Kentucky, 12/21/2019

Howard W. White '59, Roanoke, Virginia, 2/13/2020

Ira S. Crawford '60, Radford, Virginia, 3/19/2020

Charles W. Elgin '60, Christiansburg, Virginia, 2/23/2020

Marty H. Holland '60, Williamsburg, Virginia, 12/17/2019

Joseph C. Pratt '60, Martinsville, Virginia, 3/14/2020

William W. Snidow '60, Richmond, Virginia, 10/10/2019

William G. Wall '60, Radford, Virginia, 11/11/2019

David G. Wilson '60, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 11/24/2019

Ronald L. Wynn '60, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, 11/20/2019

Douglas D. Burnett '61, Danville, Virginia, 12/8/2019

Irving A. Frye '61, Rosedale, Virginia, 11/3/2019

Frank S. Harkins '61, Charlotte, North Carolina, 11/12/2019

James M. Johns '61, Alto, Georgia, 12/14/2019

Raymond J. Klotz '61, Mechanicsville, Virginia, 2/1/2020

Sterling M. Nichols '61, Williamsburg, Virginia, 12/10/2019

A. Leon Tomblin '61, Fincastle, Virginia, 12/25/2019

Clarence Waskey '61, Blacksburg, Virginia, 11/10/2019

David W. Gillespie '62, Wilmington, North Carolina, 1/28/2020

William F. Holtzclaw '62, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, 1/17/2020

Owen R. Walker '62, Powhatan, Virginia, 10/10/2019

James A. Conner '63, Roanoke, Virginia, 3/14/2020

William L. Dail '63, Lynchburg, Virginia, 1/13/2020

Jerry M. Soukup '63, Seminole, Florida, 2/1/2020

John F. Kurtz '64, New Bern, North Carolina, 2/15/2020

Joe D. Savage '64, Plano, Texas, 11/28/2019

Robert R. Johnson '66, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 12/27/2019

Richard W. Kates '66, Midlothian, Virginia, 11/19/2019

John R. McCloskey '66, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 12/15/2019

William E. Miller '66, Bradenton, Florida, 2/20/2020

Stanley P. Rife '66, Vinton, Virginia, 11/3/2019

Lee E. Sharpe '66, Frederick, Maryland, 3/19/2020

James G. Baird '67, Christiansburg, Virginia, 11/12/2019

Gary W. Bowen '67, Roanoke, Virginia, 10/31/2019

James B. Clark '67, Fort Mill, South Carolina, 1/18/2020

Averill M. Hansen '67, Fort Mill, South Carolina, 2/20/2020

Marion S. Whitfield Jr. ’67, Wake Forest, North Carolina, 11/26/2018

Geoffrey S. Anderson '70, Rockport, Texas, 10/30/2019

William M. Darracott '71, Germantown, Maryland, 1/28/2020

Thomas V. Mukai '71, Alexandria, Virginia, 3/19/2020

Phillip C. Scheider '75, Manassas, Virginia, 1/15/2020

Michelle "Mikki" Bragg '86, Springfield, Virginia, 2/4/2019