Daniel E. PERDUE

Daniel E. Perdue, PhD, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, died November 18, 2013 of pancreatic cancer at his home in Richmond. He was 63. Dan was born in Roanoke on September 26, 1950. He graduated from William Fleming High School and went on to the University of Virginia for his undergraduate and post-graduate work.
In 1983, Dan received his doctorate from UVA's prestigious PhD program in Buddhist Studies. He served also as a board member of the UMA Institute for Tibetan Studies.
A lucid thinker and prolific writer, Dan is the author of Debate in Tibetan Buddhism (Snow Lion Publications, 1992) as well as The Course in Buddhist Reasoning and Debate (Shambhala), scheduled for publication in spring 2014. He was treasured inside and outside the classroom for his luminous insights, humorous storytelling and unwavering compassion.
Dan was preceded in death by his father and mother and his brother Eddie. He is survived by his brother, Tommy (Becky); his niece, Lori Rikard (Mark) and their children, Austin and Reagan; his second cousin, Dee Campbell (Katie), who provided tremendous support to Dan in his final year of life; and many other family members, former students and longtime friends who loved Dan deeply.
Family and friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bliley's Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, on November 21, 2013. A celebration of Dan's life will be held also at Bliley's from 6 to 8 p.m., November 22, 2013. Graveside service and burial will take place at Sherwood Memorial Park, 1250 East Main Street, Salem, at 1 p.m. on November 23, 2013.