Dr. William Hargis Jr.

HARGIS, Dr. William Jr., 84, of Gloucester Point, passed away at 8:05 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008. He was born November 24, 1923 to William Jennings Hargis Sr., and Addie Corbett Hargis in Russell County, Virginia. Virginia has lost a true pioneer who served the Commonwealth as an environmental leader especially as it applied to the study and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay. Dr. William J. Hargis Jr. received his BS and MS from the University of Richmond and his PhD from Florida State. He was an Emeritus Professor of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), and served as the Institute's Director from its founding in 1959 until 1981. He also directed VIMS' predecessor, the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory, and was instrumental in transforming that small facility into its modern guise. VIMS is now among the nation's largest research and education facilities focusing on coastal ocean and estuarine science. During his 22-year tenure as Director, Dr. Hargis helped the Institute expand from a single building to a 40-acre campus with 11 laboratory and teaching buildings, a field laboratory on the Eastern Shore, and an international reputation. Over the past 50 years, Dr. Hargis wrote more than 130 research publications, 22 essays and testimony statements to the U.S. Congress, and more than 40 reports and educational pieces on marine science, the environment, and resource management. He also edited, translated, or reviewed more than 500 scientific documents. Awards and honors bestowed on Dr. Hargis include the 1971 Neptune Award from the American Oceanic Organization for his leadership, efforts and accomplishments in focusing the nation's attention on the coastal zone environment, the Mathias Medal in 1997 recognizing contributions in Marine Science for Policy and Education, the Thomas Jefferson Medal in 2003 for Outstanding Contributions to Natural Science, the 2003 Virginia Life Achievement in Science Award, the National Wildlife Federation Special Conservation Award, and many others. In April of 2004, the Virginia General Assembly approved House Bill 1313 that named the library at VIMS the William Jennings Hargis Jr., Library. Dr. Hargis was very proud of his service during World War II. He served in the Pacific theater for the Army Air Corps. As a member of the "world's greatest generation" he demonstrated a deep love for country and family. His love of Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay, sailing, antiques, model trains, reading and other numerous hobbies over the years showcased a multi-talented individual who excelled as a Husband, Father, Grandfather and Marine Scientist. Dr. Hargis was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jane Hargis MacAvoy and her husband, Neal. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marcia McKenzie Hargis; six children, Laura Baxter and husband, John T., Jonathan Hargis and wife, Sharon, Susan King and husband, Richard, Emily Irvin and husband, David, Ronald Hargis, Patrick Hargis and wife, Michele; and 15 loving grandchildren, Racheal, Katie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Macy, Ritchie, Holly, Joshua, Harrison, Hailey, Paul, T. Jackson, Grace, John Patrick, and Carson. He is also survived by two brothers, James H. Hargis and wife, Grace, and Richard C. Hargis and wife, Helen; many nephews, nieces, and his first wife, Dolores Mergenthaler. A memorial service officiated by Rev. Stephen Young will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1860 Hayes Road, Gloucester Point. Interment will be private. Family and friends are asked to share fellowship in the social hall at Bethany following the service. The family will receive friends Monday, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Hogg Funeral Home, Gloucester Point. To continue Dr. Hargis love of education and the environment, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Hargis Library Endowment, Hargis Student Scholarship Fund, both at The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, Va. 23062; Chesapeake Bay Foundation, P.O. Box 643, Yorktown, Va. 23690; or Bethany United Methodist Church, 1860 Hayes Road, P.O. Box 527, Gloucester Point, Va. 23062. The family would like to extend deep gratitude to the staff at Gloucester House for the kind and loving care they provided him in the last year of his life.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.