Lance Whitney Van de Castle

Still miss you, Lance. Quick seventeen years. Love to you.

T an absent friend and teammate, "Cheers!"

I learned how to play Rugby in 1979...Lance was Team Captain all the years I played for them...we built a wooden ticket stand of beam wood together...I admired his giantness, but he was a real man and had a compassionate as well as passionate nature...a true Leader Warrior Builder of Rugby programs...although I was a fast 190 pounds ...he is one man of four we had...on that championship team that I would not attempt to actually tackle in practice...He and his teammates of prior years crafted...

Miss Cordray,
I first met Lance when my brother Greg and I flew to North Carolina to meet my cousins when I was 7 years old. Brett,Lance,Keith, Craig and Drake, or as Uncle Bob said, his basketball team. It was the beginning of a lifelong admiration for all of my cousins, especially the big man, not just he was kin but because he was kind and filled with a unique joyful spirit. On subsequent trips to both North Carolina and eventually Virginia, we became more like brothers than...

Every time I pick up a tool or look at a set of blueprints, I think of Lance. We had a short run in our business as Piedmont Builders but it was good one. We had a body of work we can we proud of. Through the struggles and triumphs, Lance was a brother-in-arms. Karen was always there to support us, love them both dearly and always think of Lances strong spirit. Greg Bugg

It is difficult to wtite the words that express my sadness at Lance's untimely death. But sorrow is what fills me. I played against and referred Lance many times. On the pitch he was hard, asked no quarter and gave the same, he led by example. And he led by example on and off the pitch. He was a man. And a true renaisance man.

As I said words are difficult and I do not write well, to Karen and his family my heart felt sympathy and prayers. A large man casts a large shadow and leaves a...

To Lance's family:

I am one of Lance's rugby friends from the very distant past, having played at UVa with him in the early 70's. Have not seen him since then, but remember him very well. It was nice to read all these testaments from his friends and rugby associates. I am playing my own retirement rugby tourney this next weekend in Vancouver and I will think about him then. My best to his family.

i am very sorry, cajun

These comforting and loving tributes represebt the positive ways many lives have been touched by Lance and you, Karen. We have known you since your beginning days at Lightfoot Elem. School. We have faith that your wonderful strength of character will guide you in finding hope for the future while cherishing the past.