Bob and Kathy Chase

Bob and Kathy met in February 1967, in the library.  NOT a library at the University of Virginia, where Bob was pursuing a Ph.D. in theoretical atomic physics, or Sweet Briar College, where Kathy was completing her senior year as a Latin and history major. The Library at the corner of Route 250 and Emmett Street and located in the lower level of what was as close to a bar as you could get in Virginia in those days. He noticed an orange sweater; she saw a reddish beard.  Their roommates arranged a blind date for the next week.

  His family came from upstate New York near the Canadian border; his father was career United States Air Force.  Her family came from North Carolina; her father was career United States Navy.  Both Bob and Kathy had lived all over the United States and in Europe. From that blind date, the phone lines buzzed constantly, and Route 29 was traveled twice weekly.  

After Kathy completed requirements for a M.A.T at The Johns Hopkins University, she and Bob married in June 1968, and lived in Charlottesville for the next eleven years.  Kathy taught at the secondary level and earned an Education Specialist in Reading at UVA. Bob completed his doctorate and became one of the founding faculty members at Piedmont Virginia Community College teaching nursing, respiratory and pre-engineering students. 

In 1979, Bob and Kathy relocated to Amherst with their two-year old daughter.  Bob worked as a professor of physics, astronomy, and computer science at Sweet Briar College for thirty-one years.  He could also be found writing grants for the college-wide integration of computing into the curriculum.  The received monies provided funding for faculty projects, as well as equipment.  In addition, he co-developed and obtained funding for a new Honors Program, and for a major infusion of science equipment.  Not busy enough, Bob traveled extensively for the Development Office, making many new friends with the alumnae he met.  

Kathy, equally inquisitive and energetic, completed a B.S. in Nursing at Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg) in 1984, and practiced nursing at Virginia Baptist and the Lynchburg Public Health Department.  Their second daughter arrived, joining her father and sister with her own December birthday – all three in a row.   Soccer, softball, theatre, dance, beach trips, and salt water fishing made for a happy and busy time of life for the family.  Their daughters now live and work in different parts of North Carolina. 

In retirement, Bob has become a dedicated fly fisherman with trips to Canada, Montana, Belize, and Scotland.  He has utilized his grant writing skills for some non-profits in Amherst.  Kathy served on boards involving emergency foster care, theatre, and nursing, as well as on the WC-L board.  She became ordained in the Episcopal Church in 2006 and served as a chaplain associate for several years at WC-L and as a relief chaplain for Centra Health for nine years.  In addition, Kathy provided pastoral care at two parishes in Amherst.  She now does supply work for St. Paul’s Bear Mountain in Amherst.  Walking and yoga continue to keep Kathy moving; she also enjoys pottery and painting.   

One of the unexpected and great joys for Bob and Kathy has been raising their grandson for the past five years.  He is now in his own apartment, working full time and attending CVCC.