Category: Alumni News

George Washington Lester’97 ΣΛ401, IV, 48, of Cornelius, NC, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 27, 2023. He was born in Martinsville, Virginia, on December 30, 1974, the son of George Washington Lester, II and Beatrice Worrell Lester.

George greeted each day with gladness and brought spontaneity, adventure, wisdom and laughter into the lives of those who knew him. George found peace and joy on the water, even in childhood, and made his home on the shores of Lake Norman in North Carolina for most of his adult life. He loved music and could often be found strumming a tune on his ukulele. He was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Virginia Tech, and a veteran of the United States Navy. 

More information on George can be read here.

Allen Roberts ’65 ΣΩΤ, 80, of Matthews, North Carolina, died Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Born and raised in Bristol, Virginia, Allen graduated from Bristol Virginia High School. He then attended Virginia Tech and joined Sigma Omega Tau and was a valued brother. He graduated with an Industrial Engineering Degree and received and MBA from Widener University.

He went to work with the DuPont Company in Camden, South Carolina as an engineer and later transferred with DuPont to Wilmington, Delaware After a long career with DuPont, Allen retired, then joined The Forum Corporation of Boston as a Director. Along with that came a move to Pittsburgh on a contract with Mellon Bank, where he became a vice-president. When Allen retired from Forum, he and Patty moved to Camden.

Allen liked the beach, the mountains and traveling. He especially liked Europe, particularly Sicily, Italy. He enjoyed old historic houses and buildings, antique furniture and silver, a glass of good wine, the music of Mozart, and the Rolling Stones.

A Celebration of Life for Allen will be held at a later date. His full obituary can be found here:

https://www.kornegayfuneral.com/obituary/james-roberts

Ivan Nelson Hall, Jr. ’71 ΣΛ16 passed away on October 31, 2021, at the age of 73 with his only son and wife by his side.

Ivan was the first-born son of Ivan Nelson Hall, Sr and Hazel Crowder Hall in Danville, Virginia. He was the eldest brother of three siblings.

In 1966, he graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in Fairfax County, Virginia. In 1971, he graduated from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia with a degree in Electrical Engineering and as a brother of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Later he would go on to earn two post-graduate degrees, one at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California as one of the first civilians to do so, and another at the University of Southern California.

He met and married his wife, Patricia, at Virginia Tech. Their love never faltered over the 50 years they were married until his death. They have a single son, Ivan III.

Ivan was a career civil servant for the United States Navy which began as a co-operative student in college. Over the course of 30 years, he was named a Chief Engineer and appointed as a member of the Senior Executive Service. Ivan was well-respected and considered a hero to many people with whom he worked because of his courageous and servant leadership approach.

Ivan’s dedication to his son forged his passion for youth sports which led him to become Vice President of the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) of Fairfax County, Virginia. He was part of the leadership team that laid the groundwork for the SYA Sports Park, at the time referred to as the Field of Dreams. He believed that all children should be able to experience the joy, health benefits and camaraderie of sports.

Although Ivan is no longer with us, he would have encouraged us all to remember the great times and move forward into our future with energy and compassion for others. He will be deeply missed because he showed great love to all his family and was there to lend a helping hand and advice whenever needed. Ivan loved life and always lit up a room with his big smile and encouraging words.

Ivan was predeceased by both his mother Hazel and father Ivan. He is survived by his wife Patricia, son Ivan III and his wife Rita, brother Michael, and sister Donna. Private services will be held for immediate family only.

Sigma Omega Tau Founder, Nugget Dunn, age 82, of Gales Ferry, Connecticut passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Nugget was born July 19, 1939.

Professor Emeritus Howard Dunn retired as an instructor at the United States Coast Guard Academy on September 5, 2008. He served on the faculty for 30 years, including three years as head of the Academy’s engineering department. Dunn received a doctorate in civil engineering in 1974 from The Pennsylvania State University. He earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in 1964 and 1965. Dunn was a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

Dunn served the academy in several positions through the years. He was dean of academics from 2003 to 2004, head of the department of engineering from 2000 to 2003, head of the civil engineering section from 1990 to 2000, associate dean of academics from 1982 to 1984, and assistant dean of academics from 1981 to 1982. While at the academy, Dunn received the George C. Wadlin Award for distinguished service to civil engineering education in 2004 and the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association’s Distinguished Faculty Award in 2005.

Nugget was a member of the University of Connecticut Sea Grant Senior Advisory Board, the Three Rivers Community College Regional Advisory Council and the Gales Ferry School Building Committee. He served as chairman of the New Emergency Services Building Construction Committee in Ledyard.

Upon his retirement, Nugget stated, “Teachers act as facilitators. I think I’ve influenced a whole lot of graduates. When cadets come in and say you’ve had an influence, that’s real nice.”

Chris Hammerle, 50, of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away in his home on July 29, 2018. He was born in Rockford, Illinois to Walter and Charlotte Hammerle. A graduate of Norfolk Academy (1985), Chris earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1989. Chis then worked for more than 25 years at American GFM in Chesapeake.

In his spare time, Chis enjoyed spending time with friends, fishing and tossing horseshoes. Chris had an infectious laugh, especially when he beat his dad in a game of backgammon or was sharing a good time with a friend. Some of his best times were spent fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and at Lake Smith in his own backyard.

Please click here to read more about Chris.