Edgar Allen Womack, Jr.

Long time Lynchburg resident, Allen Womack passed away peacefully last Friday, February 22, 2008, in Richmond, VA following a long battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and complications with leukemia. Allen enriched and inspired all the people he encountered throughout his life. Beloved and devoted husband of his dearly departed wife, Linda, Allen is survived by his daughters, Constance Womack Britton of Los Angeles, CA and Cynthia Womack Boyle of McLean; his sister, Ann George Conway of McLean and his adoring grandchildren, Matthew, Allison and Lindsay Boyle, also of McLean. He will be remembered most for his love of family and friends, strong faith in Jesus Christ and his boundless enthusiasm, energy and generosity which he applied throughout his distinguished professional career and in touching the lives of the people he met. Allen Womack retired in 2002 as President and Chief Operating Officer of BWX Technologies, Inc., one of Lynchburg's largest employers. During his 34 year career, he served as chief operating executive for enterprises as diverse as heat exchanger manufacture and international engineering contracting, directed Research and Development for a Fortune 500 company, and managed energy development programs for the United States Government. Allen Womack was a leader of innovation throughout his career. In 1994 he served as President of the Industrial Research Institute, the nation's foremost organization of industrial technology executives. He received his bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a member of the Society of Sigma XI and a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and produced numerous technical publications, research papers and patents in experimental astrophysics, nuclear measurement technology, nuclear power operations and other energy technologies. He also served on numerous corporate and charitable boards, including the Naval Submarine League, the Industrial Research Institute, The Foundation for Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, the Alzheimer's Association of Central Virginia and the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation. He served as an advisor to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. He served in the United States Navy Reserve. He was active as an officer in the First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg and served as President of the Lynchburg Academy of Fine Arts, Inc. and as chairman of its trustees. A memorial service for Allen Womack is scheduled at four o'clock on Friday, February 29, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Allen and Linda Womack Memorial Fund for the Restoration of the Academy Music Theatre, 600 Main Street, Lynchburg, Virginia 24504, and can also be made through the website at academyfinearts.com by clicking on "donate now" and selecting "construction". To send condolences and messages online, please go to www.whittenfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Service/Timberlake Chapel, 7404 Timberlake Rd., (434) 239-0331, is serving the Womack family.