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Roger O'Dell Obituary
Preceded in death by his mother, Lois Schweikert O'Dell, he is survived by his wife, Joanne Milan Hawley; sons, Justin O'Dell, of Falls Church, and Derek and wife, Laura O'Dell, of Blacksburg; father, Robert O'Dell, of Philadelphia, Pa.; and brother and sister-in-law, Allen and Betsy O'Dell, of Hellertown, Pa.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at Our Lady of Nazareth Church, with the Reverend Monsignor Joe Lehman, the Reverend Lisa Meyer, and the Reverend Mr. Dick Surrusco officiating. This will be followed by a reception celebrating his life, which was very rich in love for his family, friends, music and life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society through supporting Derek O'Dell, a team captain for the Virginia Tech Relay For Life. Website at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/RelayForRoger, or the VTV Family Outreach Foundation, http://www.vtvfamilyfoundation.org, in memory of Roger O'Dell, for the benefit of the 32, National Campus Security Index.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger O'Dell
jim bier
March 22, 2020
A good friend! Spending lots of time with his widow, Joanne, and am reminded of him with pictures and conversation frequently. His sons are good friends.
jim bier
April 23, 2013
I've noticed that whenever I'm with mutual friends, we often remark on how special Roger was as a friend and as an agent and inspiration for positive change in the world. Most recently that was with my friend Marty Hahn and his son Jordan.
Dale Yusuf
January 7, 2013
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear husband and father. I accidentally came upon the notice and believe that I went all through high school with Roger. If he was the same young man in my class in Olney High School, I remember him as being one of the nicest and smartest boys in the school. He was humble and kind to everyone. So sorry to learn of such a valuable life cut too short.
Bill Moffett
September 20, 2012
Roger was a fine person. I knew him as the long-time president of the University City Bicycle Club in Philadelphia. Rides were always more fun when Roger was along. In 1984 Roger, John Dowlin and I published the first Commuter's Bicycle Map of Philadelphia. The world is a better place for his having been here.
Lisa Bradford
April 3, 2012
Joanne and family... you are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you all.
April 2, 2012
When I first came to Virginia in 1987 Roger was one of the first persons I met in my line of business as an architect. He was a very warm, kind and gentle person. He was always interested in what I was doing and always cheerful. I was saddened to hear of his passing and would like to pass on my heartfelt condolences to Joanne and the entire family.
John & Veronica Matthews, Charlottesville
Thomas J. Spurlock, III
April 2, 2012
We met Roger after the VA Tech incident. He went with Tom on trips to the General Assembly to advocate for changes in the mental health laws in Virginia. Roger could always persuade the Senators and Delegates to meet for a face to face meeting. Roger served on the NAMI VA Advocacy committee to change laws in Virginia. Joanne, Roger's wife, volunteered to teach MESA lessons on medications to care givers of persons with mental illness. She would bring a number of her students to share in the presentations. Roger and Joanne worked as a team to make a difference for people with mental illnesses and their families each with different talents. Our life is richer for having known Roger for this short period of time.
Tom and Jane Spurlock
jim bier
April 2, 2012
Roger was so blessed and grateful to have the deep and wide support and love of his close family and many friends. I was blessed to get to know him through our MIT alumni connections and mutual projects, values, and interests. Especially memorable for me was our joint work on William Barton Rogers/Mount Rogers informational posters for trail-heads and William Barton Rogers Day 6/11/11. He will be missed by us all, but we have fond memories to cherish and share.
Leanne Blatterman
April 2, 2012
Roger was a pleasant person and we had lots of conversations while he was in the hospital. I will keep you in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Leanne Blatterman, LPTA
April 2, 2012
JOANNE, JUSTIN AND DEREK, I AM SO SORRY FOR THE PASSING OF ROGER. THERE ARE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF YOU ALL AND GRANNY, MAY YOU FIND COMFORT IN THOSE MEMORIES. TRICIA LOWRY JOHNSON
Ruth Stornetta
April 1, 2012
Joanne, Roger and I are thinking or you, remembering all the great times in Charlottesville way back when.Roger was right there at the old Apple Classic helping score- one of the first races I was ever involved with! I have such great memories. Our deepest condolences!
Ruth Stornetta & Roger Friend
Lynne Hughes
April 1, 2012
Derek, I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you. I met your dad when I worked at Cave Spring Vet Clinic. He was a very sweet man. He always talked about you, I know he was very proud of you. God Bless.
John and Karen Black
April 1, 2012
Joanne and Derek, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We'll always remember the kind, soft spoken Roger who kept us calm on the sidelines! What a sweet, gentle man. He will be greatly missed. John, Karen, Kyle and Spencer Black
Belinda Austin
March 30, 2012
Joanne and family,
you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Belinda Austin(Dr. Mirmiran assist.,Dr. Midkiff's )
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