Robert Duff Green

1928 - 2023

Robert Duff Green, of Orange and Culpeper, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in his hometown of Culpeper at the age of 94.

Duff was best known in Orange for his nearly four decades as the editor, photographer, and co-owner of the family-owned Orange County Review. There aren't many Orange County residents who don't remember seeing Duff around town, wielding his Nikon at most every event.

The seventh and youngest child of James W. Green and Helen Armstrong Green, Duff was born in Culpeper on July 16, 1928. He graduated from Culpeper High School at age 16 and then attended Woodberry Forest School for two post-graduate years. Nicknamed "The Culpeper Flash," Duff played football and ran track for Culpeper. He was a triple-varsity letterman for the WFS Tigers.

Disappointed that he was too young to enlist in World War II, Duff helped the war effort by joining the Merchant Marines at age 17. As one of the "Seagoing Cowboys," he transported horses by ship from Norfolk, Virginia to Gdansk, Poland. While it was typical on such a voyage for more than a third of horses to die of seasickness, Duff liked to share with pride that he embarked on the voyage with 27 horses in his care and arrived with 28 (having successfully birthed a foal en route).

Duff attended Sewanee, The University of the South, where he played on the Tigers' football team and was elected tri-captain of the track team. He was also a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After a football knee injury, he transferred to the University of Virginia and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves. His college career was interrupted when the Korean War broke out. His time at Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, and in San Diego were fodder for some of his favorite stories to recount to his children and grandchildren. After his return to UVA, Duff co-captained the Cavaliers' varsity wrestling team, lived on 37 West Lawn, and completed a year of law school on the G.I. Bill.

After college, Duff joined the family business, The Orange County Review and Green Publishers, Inc., alongside his father, brothers, and sisters. Beyond his work life, Duff had a record of community service that spanned half a century. He worked with the Orange County Volunteer Fire Department, served in nearly every capacity at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, from Sunday School Superintendent to Senior Warden, and held office for 16 years on the Orange County Board of Supervisors which he chaired during his final term. Additionally, he served on the Orange County Welfare Board and the School Board.

Duff also served two terms as president of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, chaired the Orange Unit of the Salvation Army, was a founding member of the Orange County Sports Boosters Club, served as a director of the Orange County Public Library Board, and was a member of the Orange Town Council, the Lions Club, and the Orange County Economic Development Commission. He helped establish the Orange County Nursing Home (now Dogwood Village) and was a faithful donor to the American Red Cross Bloodmobile. As a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, Duff was a life member of American Legion Post 156 and James Madison Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Duff received a commendation from the Virginia General Assembly in 1998 for his many years of community service, recognizing that he had "enhanced the prosperity of Orange County and the welfare of its citizens."

After his business retirement, Duff taught photography at Woodberry Forest School, substituted in the public school system, and worked as the Orange County Emergency Services Coordinator. He continued to write the column, "It happened, but not recently" for the Review until he was in his 80s and maintained an extensive historical photo archive which he donated to the Orange County Historical Society.

Above all, Duff's family was the true center of his life. He was married to the love of his life, Mary Miller Green, for nearly 68 years, and raised three daughters, Elizabeth "Betsy" Green Chuchla (Richard) of Houston, Texas, Eleanor "Duffy" Green Long (Bob) of Alexandria, Virginia, and Susan Green Roberson (David) of New York, New York. Duff also cherished his seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Orange. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Dr. Linda V. Hutton. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Honorary pallbearers include Walter W. Ware III, Edmund M.F. Green, L. Douglas Birckhead, Jr., William T. Butler III, Dr. Renfro C. Manning, and Hugh Lee Darnell.

Preddy Funeral Home, Orange, is in charge of arrangements. The burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Woodberry Forest School, Attn: The Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Duff Green, 402 Woodberry Station, Woodberry Forest, VA 22989, or the Virginia Athletics Foundation (virginiaathleticsfoundation.org), P.O. Box 400833, Charlottesville, VA 22904.