Haycocks, Christopher

Christopher Haycocks, 70, formerly of Blacksburg, Va., passed away Saturday, August 29, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Louise Haycocks.

Chris was born in Malta and spent his early years in England and Scotland during World War II. He went to East Africa as a young boy and returned to England to attend college at the Camborne School of Mines where he graduated in 1961.

He obtained his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the Missouri School of Mines in Mining Engineering and worked for DeBeers Diamonds and Anglo American Corporation in South Africa. In 1969, he accepted a faculty position at VPI & SU where he taught Mining Engineering for 33 years. He retired as the C.T. Holland Professor of Mining Engineering in 2002, and moved to Las Vegas, Nev.

He had many interests and hobbies including, rugby, fishing, astronomy, and boating among others. He received numerous awards during his long career and appreciated working with his students and colleagues. A fund will be established in his name at the Mining Engineering Department, Virginia Tech. He passed away after a brief illness.

He is survived by his wife, Ramonda Haycocks; sons and daughters-in-law, Gavin and Evelyn, Ian and Kristin, and Neil and Jane; grandchildren, Casey, Anna, Cullen, Haydn, and Gus; and his sister, Marsha and Ole Palmann.

Memorial services will be held in Blacksburg, Va., and the date and time of the service are to be determined.