[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 195 (Friday, December 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ROGER E. HEDGEPETH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 6, 2019

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I offer these remarks in honor of Roger 
E. Hedgepeth, one of the longest-serving mayors of Blacksburg, Virginia 
and a professor at Virginia Tech in that town, who died on November 12, 
2019 at the age of 89.
  Born in Norfolk, Virginia, on January 17, 1930, Roger E. Hedgepeth 
went to Maury High School and then graduated from Virginia Tech, where 
he received a degree in mechanical engineering. Following graduation, 
Mr. Hedgepeth served in the Armed Forces during the Korean War. Mr. 
Hedgepeth returned to Virginia Tech after serving his country and 
received a master's degree in mechanical engineering.
  He married Jenny in 1956. They would remain happily married for 55 
years until her death.
  Mr. Hedgepeth used the education from his two degrees in mechanical 
engineering to teach students at Virginia Tech for 38 years.
  As a resident of Blacksburg while teaching at Virginia Tech, he was 
active in his community and decided to make the leap to elected office. 
After two years of serving on the Blacksburg Town Council, Mr. 
Hedgepeth became mayor. Mr. Hedgepeth served in that position for 24 
years, the second-longest tenure in Blacksburg's history.
  As mayor, Mr. Hedgepeth was respected by his colleagues in government 
as well as his constituents. The relationship between Blacksburg and 
Virginia Tech during his tenure was so cordial that representatives 
from other college towns around the country would come to study their 
success.
  Virginia Tech and the town of Blacksburg were fortunate to have this 
leader and educator in the community. Mr. Hedgepeth is survived by his 
children Natalie and Michael and grandchildren, Taylor and Austin of 
Bristol, Virginia, and Risher and Azat of Blacksburg. I offer my 
condolences to the Hedgepeth family on their loss.

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