L. Van Loan Naisawald

L. Van Loan Naisawald Historian and author L. Van Loan Naisawald died November 30, 2010 in Lynchburg, Virginia at the age of 90. Van was the author of several military history books, among which were Grape and Canister-The Field Artillery of the Army of the Potomac, Manassas Junction and the Doctor, Cannon Blasts, and In Some Foreign Field.

In addition, he authored a number of magazine stories and articles on a variety of military subjects. He was a noted authority on Civil War field artillery and taught classes in history at the Northern Virginia Community College.

Van was born on June 11, 1920 in Mineola, New York to Louise Van Loan Naisawald and H. Louis Naisawald. He was raised in Garden City, New York. He was a graduate of Virginia Military Institute in 1942 with a BA in history and later obtained his MA in American history from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. He also pursued graduate study in journalism. Upon graduation from VMI, Van entered on limited active duty as a 2nd lieutenant, serving first in the Office of The Chief of Staff and then as the commander of a United States Military Academy Preparatory Unit at Lafayette College. In subsequent years he served several tours with the Army's historical agencies, as a small arms instructor, and during the Korean War with the Army's Operations Research Office as an operations research analyst.

He served two years as the historian at the Manassas Battlefield Park. From 1961 until 1978, he served as a National Guard reserve officer and civilian employee of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development where he was a speech writer and special assistant to senior civilian Department of the Army officials as well as 3 and 4 star general officiers. In 1978 he was appointed editor of the Army RDA Magazine, a position he held until his retirement in 1982. He was twice awarded the Army's meritorious Service Medal.

Van was active all of his life with VMI alumni affairs, serving as president for several terms of different chapters. From 1992 until 1994 he was secretary of the VMI Commandant's Advisory Committee. He was an ardent supporter of the VMI Regimental Band, its Pipes and Drums band, and the VMI Museums. For 10 years, he addressed the incoming Rat class on the meaning of the Battle of New Market to VMI. He donated a number of books and artifacts to the VMI Museum, the VMI Library and the George C. Marshall Museum.

Van was an active member and lecturer in the Lynchburg Civil War Round Table, a member of the Retired Officers Association, the Military Order of World Wars, and the Lynchburg General Hospital Auxiliary. He was also a supporter of the Historic Sandusky Foundation. Prior to moving to Lynchburg in 1996, he had been senior vice president, board member, and director of research at Historic Christ Church, Irvington, Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, the former Mary Lou Rust of Front Royal, Virginia, a son Christian R. Naisawald (Nancy McDonnell Naisawald), daughters Gretchen Naisawald Arnold (William P. Arnold III, M.D.) and Robin Naisawald Edson (Hurst H. Edson), grandsons Christian A. Naisawald, John W. Naisawald, Andrew S. Naisawald, Hurst H. Edson, Jr., and granddaughters Burgess V. Edson and Katherine E. Naisawald. He was a wonderful father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them about history, painting, fishing, shooting and sports.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 3, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Westminster Canterbury, Lynchburg, Virginia. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 4, at 2 p.m. in the Jackson Memorial Hall on the campus of VMI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the VMI Regimental Band, c/o The VMI Foundation, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. Diuguid Funeral Service-Wiggington Road Chapel,

434-385-8900, is serving the family.


This obituary was originally published in the News & Messenger (Woodbridge, VA).