Dirk Rhodes Obituary

GLOUCESTER - Dirk Rene Rhodes, 51, passed away on Oct. 24, 2009, in Gloucester, Va.
He was born May 19, 1958, in Lynchburg, Va., and was the son of Margaret Fentress Rhodes of Virginia Beach and the late Guy Blaisdell Rhodes.
Dirk was raised in Virginia Beach where he graduated from Kempsville High School in 1976. He attended Chowan College in Chowan, N.C., and then Clinch Valley College in Wise, Va. After spending some time away from Virginia and serving honorably in the Army National Guard, Dirk settled in the Middle Peninsula of Virginia and became a resident of Gloucester. Although he held many titles and occupations in his life, including deputy sheriff, bounty hunter, volunteer rescue squad, retail salesman, camp counselor for troubled youth, cook, truck driver and chimney sweep, he found his true calling as a longtime Special Education Teacher at Page Middle School and Gloucester County High School with 20 years of service. Although he had no children of his own, Dirk considered the students that he taught and interacted with to be 'his kids'. Dirk held a Masters of Education, was an accomplished pianist and also a well known owner of several bookstores in Gloucester. He had many talents that he willingly shared with anyone who needed him.
Besides his mother, Dirk is survived by sister and brother-in-law, Debra A. and William A. Bowles; brother and sister-in-law, Guy B. and Mary E. Rhodes Jr.; stepmother, Dorothy W. Rhodes; sister, Virginia L. Rhodes, sister and brother-in-law, Misty L. and David Phillips; aunt, June R. Belangia; nephews, Blair Bowles, Zachary and Matthew Phillips and Hunter Swann; nieces, April M. and husband, Jarrett Swann, and Hayley and Megan Rhodes and numerous cousins. He also leaves behind many special friends around the world and in Gloucester, including Deborah Collier, Frank Oliver, Lynda and Tommy Weston and Jimmy Owens.
A memorial celebration of Dirk's life is planned for family and friends on Nov. 22, 2009, at 3 p.m. at Newington Baptist Church, 6169 Main Street, Gloucester, VA 23061.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dirk's memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, www.multiplemyeloma.org. In the future, we also plan to establish a Dirk R. Rhodes Memorial Scholarship to help Gloucester County High School students who pursue degrees in nursing, pre-med or education. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press from Oct. 29 to Oct. 30, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Dirk Rhodes

14 Entries

Patsy Garner

November 21, 2009

Margaret,

I am saddened to learn about Dirk. I know how close your family is and how much you will miss him. Focus on those good memories and all the good he added to this world.

Thinking of you.

November 16, 2009

Dirk was a great cousin. I adored him for his genuine concern for me and my family's happiness and well being.

Martha Jarvinen

Debbie (Carlton) Dajon

November 12, 2009

Dear family, I'm so sorry to hear about Dirk. I remember him so vividly from our days together at Calvary Baptist Church--always fun, positive, energetic, respectful and caring. and I know that's because of your Godly influence and being a loving family. I also can still hear him playing the piano when he would fly in on the bench after a service or activity and just start playing. You all are in our thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks ahead. Debbie Carlton Dajon

Pam Saunders-Eckroth

November 2, 2009

Goodness, so sad to read of Dirk's passing. I knew him many years ago at Calvary Baptist in Va. Beach. Our youth choir from that church went out on a singing tour in the summer of '76 or '77 from VA to FL, we all had such a great time. He was just as sweet and kind-hearted as all the entries say. My prayers are with the Rhodes family and friends. God bless you all.

Johann Odom

November 1, 2009

He was a true friend, teacher, and caring individual. Our thoughts and prayers go with you to mourn the loss of Dirk. May God ease your pain and guide you through this difficult time.

Mr. and Mrs. Johann Odom and Family

Patsy Powell

October 30, 2009

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Rhodes passing. He was a kind and caring teacher, and a great person. He touched so many lives in such a wonderful way. He will be deeply missed.

Susan

October 30, 2009

Very sorry to hear Dirk has passed. He was a true lover of literacy, a sympathetic ear to any who needed it, and a gentleman to his very core.

May Heaven's gates open wide and welcome this gem of human being. He will be sorely missed here on Earth.

Sharon and Billy Fibbiani

October 30, 2009

Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

October 29, 2009

We will all miss Dirk at Friends of the Newport News Library. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
Joan Wool
Newport News, Va

Tom M

October 29, 2009

I will miss you. Stage Coach won't be the same without you.

I was always impressed with your patience, dignity and the way you truly cared about your students.

I wish there were more people like you, you were a rare sort of person.

Jackie Wake

October 29, 2009

He was such a thoughtful and caring man. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss a such a sweet man.

Larry Moore

October 29, 2009

Mrs. Rhodes and Family, I am deeply saddened to read of Dirk's passing. I met him at his book store several years ago and always looked forward to seeing him when I went to the Stagecoach. He was a true gentleman and scholar. May God ease your pain during this difficult time.

Jennifer Miller

October 29, 2009

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation

Roger & Carolyn Clements

October 29, 2009

Mrs. Rhodes and Family,
I worked with Dirk for many years at Page Middle School. He truly had a gift for working with his students. He had big heart and was willing to help anyone, especially those trying to better themselves.
Our deepest sympathy,

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