Weisend, Wendell Holmes

Wendell Holmes (Wendy) Weisend, 82, of Blacksburg, died October 25, 2006.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, he served in World War II in the US Eighth Air Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in English and obtained a Masters degree in Journalism from Northwestern University.

Wendy was best known as Virginia Tech’s Sports Information Director from 1956-1978 where his face and voice became synonymous with Hokie Athletics. In 1983 he was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame in 1991. He also worked at Virginia Tech as the curator of manuscripts and archives at Newman Library. His passions included not only sports, but history and Shakespeare as well.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Boggs Weisend; daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy and Jeff Brooks, of Christiansburg, Pam Weisend and Tom Dunlap, of Purcellville; son and daughter-in-law, Lance Weisend and Kathryn Surcheck, of Charlottesville; grandsons, Justin Brooks, of Duluth, Ga., Nathan Brooks, of Cullowhee, N.C.; granddaughters, Astrid and Dava Weisend, of Charlottesville.

Memorial services will be conducted Monday, October 30, 2006 at 2 p.m. in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Reggie Tuck officiating. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, 2006 at the McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Carilion Hospice, 707 Randolph St. Suite 251, Radford, Va. 24141, or the Montgomery County Christmas Store, PO Box 221, Blacksburg, Va. 24063.