Dick Quible (Fall '51) 1928-2009

With deepest regrets we are sorry to announce that F. Richard (Dick) Quible passed away in November.

Dick was an ardent supporter of the University, VT Athletics, and yes his beloved fraternity Delta Kappa Sigma.  Included in his obituary among his many accomplishments and associations it was proudly stated that “… Dick was a member of Delta Kappa Sigma, now Delta Kappa Epsilon, serving as the fraternity’s president his senior year.”

Many Dekes had the opportunity to meet and speak with Dick over the years and he was always generous with his time to talk about the history of the fraternity.  Dick was also a regular financial supporter of the fraternity alumni association and a member to the 10-YEAR-CLUB.  His presence will be missed by those who knew him.  Our deepest sympathies go out to his family.

Click below to read his full obituary.

Originally published in the New River Valley News and Richmond Times-Dispatch.

On Monday, the 9th of November, 2009, Frank Richard (Dick) Quible was taken by our Lord and Savior, from his life on earth. Dick was born in the “Sandhills” of Nebraska (Long Pine), on Friday, April 13, 1928, the second son of Lena and Paul James Quible. Dick spent the first seven years of his life in Long Pine, where loving and caring family values were instilled in him, and remained for life.

In June of 1935, Dick moved, with his family, now with little sister, to Montgomery County, Md., and continued schooling at Cabin John Elementary School, Leland Junior High School, and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, graduating in 1945, at the age of 17. In May of 1946, at the age of 18, Dick volunteered for three years in the United States Navy. After basic training, at Bainbridge Training Camp, he was transferred to Treasure Island, Calif., for nine months of schooling in radio and sonar electronics, graduating in March 1947, with a 3rd Class Petty Officer’s Rating. While in the Navy, Dick also attained the rating of 2nd Class Electronics Mate. While serving aboard the U.S.S. Lloyd Thomas, destroyer, Dick visited such venues as San Diego, Pearl Harbor, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ceylon, Suez and Panama Canals, Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Port Said, Egypt, Rock of Gilbraltor, Norway, Southhampton, England, and back to San Diego. Upon his return, Dick and the Task Force of which his ship was a part, had completed a world cruise of 51,327 miles.

Upon being honorably discharged from the United States Navy in May of 1949, Dick returned home to Montgomery County, Md., to live with his parents while attending George Washington University as a freshman engineering student, under the “G.I. Bill.” In the fall of 1950, Dick transferred to Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Virginia Tech, graduating in June, 1953 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering (BS in CE) degree. During his years as an undergraduate student, Dick was a member of Delta Kappa Sigma now, Delta Kappa Epsilon, serving as the fraternity’s president during his senior year. Dick was also elected to membership in Chi Epsilon, the National Civil Engineering Honorary Fraternity, and in Tau Beta Pi, the National Engineering Fraternity.

After graduation, and serving a six-year apprenticeship as a Design Engineer at the National Suburban Sanitary Commission, Washington, D.C., Perrow and Brockenborough, and Austin Brockenborough and Associates, both of Richmond, Va., Dick, in June of 1959, founded his own consulting firm, Quible and Associates, P.C., in Chase City, Va. By 1974, Dick had built his practice of providing the above services to clients across the entire Southeastern United States and areas of the Caribbean, with major branch offices in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Nags Head, N.C., and field offices in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Central Virginia. By 1984, Dick had sold or consolidated his many business interests in all geographic areas except North Carolina, settling in Kitty Hawk, N.C., until retirement at the end of 1997.

After retirement, and the death of his first wife, Betty Garnett Quible, Dick moved to Blacksburg, Va., in 1998, where he met and married Sarah Jean Russell, on August 24, 2004. Dick became involved in University life almost immediately upon taking up residence in Blacksburg, serving on the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund Board of Directors, the VTAF Executive Committee, the VTAF Audit Committee (1999 to 2005), and a member of the VT Campaign Steering Committee (silent phase) from 2003 through 2006. Dick and his wife, Jean, served as Co-chairpersons for the University Libraries fundraising effort, as members of the National Campaign Steering Committee (public phase) from 2006 until the time of his death. In the spirit of “Ut Prosim,” Dick and his wife have given generously, of their time and resources for the advancement of the goals of Virginia Tech, through provision of funds for Academic and Athletic Scholarships, construction of the Merryman Center, and Lane Stadium, the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, the Holtzman Alumni Center, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, and the Class of 1953 gifting to Virginia Tech.

Dick was preceded in death by his mother, Lena Quible, on June 10, 1972; his father, Paul James Quible, on January 28, 1985; and his first wife, Betty Garnett Quible, on July 27, 1998. He is survived by his wife, Jean Russell Quible; a brother and sister-in-law, Norman Ernest and Rennie Gulick Quible, of Dover, Del.; a sister, Mary Louise Mechem, of Annandale, Va.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Connie Russell, of Dublin, Va.; two nieces; five nephews; many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews; and many, many good friends. Dick’s one wish during his life on this earth, was that he could reveal, in his own small way, the glory and the grace of God to all he touched during that life. “Grieve for an hour, for the loss,” he said, “But rejoice for a lifetime for the gifts of our Lord.”

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at the Blacksburg Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Westview Cemetery. The Reverend Tommy McDearis and the Reverend Todd Millsaps will officiate the service. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the charity of your choice. The family would like to express special appreciation to Dr. McCoy, and Carilion Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and consideration they have shown to Dick and Jean in this stressful time. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.

Check out our Board of Directors page in the Alumni section to meet them.

Many thanks to our outgoing elected board members Jim Scanlon (Winter ‘76) and Jim Daniel (Fall ‘84) – we appreciate all the time you’ve given and are grateful to have you sticking around as board committee members when time allows.

After a successful first tailgate for the Marshall game, which attracted about 20 alumni brothers (plus the entire active chapter and a flock of prospective Dekes), we’re looking forward to a larger showing this weekend for what could be the biggest home game of the year.

Bob Dreelin and Buzz Wainman graciously volunteered to be our alumni organizers for this week – come join them and others! Kickoff is at 3:30 pm, so we’ll start at 11:00am.

As always, our location is Lot 4, Space 94, located across Spring Drive from the football stadium and just down from the softball field. We’re in the corner, with one side facing Southgate Drive and the other side backing up to the track. See you there.

Many thanks to our brothers who generously paid their dues and donated to the house renovation fund:

We’re thrilled to share that on November 8, 2008 at the 35th Anniversary Greek Alumni Gala in Blacksburg, the Virginia Tech Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life honored Hank with the establishment of the Henry S. Mattox Fraternity Alumni of the Year Award.

This award will be given annually in recognition of a Virginia Tech Fraternity Alumni who demonstrates the most outstanding service and commitment to the Mission of Virginia Tech and the Principles and Values of the American Fraternity Movement.

Congratulations Hank – thanks for representing us so well, then and now.

Check out the PDF of the actual award.

Check out the latest alumni newsletter, now posted in our Newsletter Archive and arriving in your mailbox shortly.

If you’re a regular visitor, thanks for being patient.

Watch this space… lots happening soon. Cheers.

We’re in Lot 4, Space 94, located across Spring Drive from the football stadium and just down from the softball field. Click here for a map.

Open House before the meeting

We’d also like to invite you to stop by the house beforehand, between noon and 1:30pm, for a tour of the renovated attic and second floor facilities. We’ll also be showing off plans for the next phase on the first floor!

Duke game Alumni Tailgate

View map of tailgate spot

They’re still going, and going strong. Our list of alumni tailgate attendees to date is well over 50 by now. Why not join us and add your name to the list?

Lynn Leslie (Winter ‘88) is hosting the event to help you rekindle old friendships with familiar faces. Kickoff is at 5:30 pm, so we will start at 2:30 pm.

As always, our location is Lot 4, Space 94, located across Spring Drive from the football stadium and just down from the softball field. We’re in the corner, with one side facing Southgate Drive and the other side backing up to the track. See you there.

Maryland tailgate in its early stages

We are continuing to attract new believers to the Alumni Tailgate.

A full list of attendees is forthcoming, but we did see Jerry Bryant, Chuck Bradley (Winter ‘76) and Charlie Webb (Spring ‘85) among others, plus an awful lot of active brothers including all 10 Fall ‘08 pledges. Impressive. And, the Hokies might even have an offense. Things are looking up.

On that note we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve come up with a real reason to come to the Duke game on November 22:

THE ANNUAL DKE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEETING
AND OPEN HOUSE

Second Annual Alumni Open House
12:00-1:30pm at the DKE House. See the completely finished attic renovations in person at noon, then stay for…

The Alumni of the Sigma Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon, Inc.
Annual Meeting (both fun AND required by law!)
1:30-2:00pm. Ask demanding questions of your alumni board. Then join us for the grand old tradition that is the DKE House-Lane Stadium Stumble to…

The Duke Alumni Tailgate
2:30pm until kickoff at 5:30. (Yes, Duke really is a night game!!)

Mark your calendars.

The Hall brothers, active and alumni

After two tailgates we’ve seen 35 different Deke Alumni. That’s a pretty good start for a brand new event. And this weekend is Homecoming, and we’re hoping to add to the total.

We know many of you will be in town… please join us on Saturday for the Western Kentucky tailgate!

Bert Burson (Winter ‘79) is hosting the event this week to help you rekindle old friendships with familiar faces. Kickoff is at 1:30 pm, so we’ll start at 10:30.

As always, our location is Lot 4, Space 94, located across Spring Drive from the football stadium and just down from the softball field. We’re in the corner, with one side facing Southgate Drive and the other side backing up to the track. See you there.