Notes:
Data source is the 1990 book, "Moomaw-Mumma-Mumaw-Mumaugh Genealogy" compiled by Robert Austin Moomaw (deceased).
Dr. W. Hugh Moomaw
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Dr. W. Hugh Moomaw, 86, passed away on December 21, 2011. He was the grandson of John C. Moomaw, prominent Roanoke business leader, who was responsible for bringing the railroad to western Virginia earning him the nickname "Roanoke's Paul Revere." Hugh's father, Samuel B. Moomaw, was an orchardist who developed the canned fruit industry and moved to London to begin an import business. There he met May Blackham Downs and they married in 1919. Dr. Moomaw was born in London on June 8, 1925. He had his early schooling in England, culminating with a graduation from Sherborne School (founded in 1550) in Dorset. With the outbreak of World War II and the impending German aerial attacks, Samuel moved his family back to Roanoke in 1940. Dr. Moomaw's studies at Virginia Tech were interrupted by his call to service in the US Army in 1944. As an enlisted soldier, he became one of the prestigious Pershing Rifles and later earned his commission as an officer. Hugh directed all rail transportation for the allies in Austria during 1945-46 as an Army Captain. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Hugh transferred to Washington & Lee University where he graduated in 1949. He then earned his master's degree and doctorate in History at the University of Virginia where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. His work at the university earned Dr. Moomaw the Fulbright scholarship. Hugh Moomaw married Rosalie (Lee) Bowman in Roanoke, Virginia on August 26, 1950.
Dr. Moomaw took his first job as a professor of history at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, in 1956. The Fulbright Commission then appointed him Director of the U.S. Educational Commission in London. Hugh moved his wife and young family to Wimbledon, England, where they lived for four years. In 1963, Hugh left his post with the Fulbright Commission to return to Virginia to become President of Stratford College in Danville. While serving as President, Dr. Moomaw supervised the transition of the institution from a junior college to a four year college. During his tenure, Hugh was one of the Judges at the Miss America Pageant in 1970 and 1971.
In 1975, Hugh moved his family to Virginia Beach to accept an appointment as Headmaster of Cape Henry Collegiate School. As Head of School, he was instrumental in increasing enrollment, establishing an endowment, and initiating an extensive building program at the school positioning Cape Henry to become one of the finest private schools in the state and region.
Upon his retirement from full-time employment in 1986, Hugh continued his passion for education by teaching at Tidewater Community College. Hugh and Lee enjoyed travel and gardening together and Hugh continued with his life-long passion for railroads. Hugh had an extensive train collection precisely modeling the railroad network in England prior to nationalization. Visits to his layout were always special for neighborhood children and rail enthusiasts. The Norfolk and Portsmouth Railway commissioned him to write the history of its Belt Line Railroad, and his book was published to celebrate the company's 100 year anniversary in 1998. His extensive knowledge of rail history was put to good use when he served on the board of the Railroad Museum of Virginia for several years. As Lee's lifelong "Undergardener", Hugh assisted his wife in obtaining the Garden Club of America annual award of a grant for the Virginia Marine Science Museum. Their garden in Bay Colony was a source of much joy and love. Visitors usually left with a plant to take home as Hugh and Lee loved to share their many varieties of plants with friends and neighbors.
Hugh will be missed greatly by his family for his optimism, courage, warm heart, humor, and intelligence. Personal values such as honesty, integrity and civility were the hallmark of his character. His life was filled with many adventures and so he always had an interesting story to tell.
Hugh is survived by Lee and their two children, Susan Moomaw Moring (wife of Platte Moring) of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Billy Moomaw (husband to Teri Moomaw) of Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Hugh and Lee have five grandchildren, Leigh and Will Moring, Katie, Bailey, and Molly Moomaw. He is also survived by nephews, George and Jimmy Nipe, both of Harrisonburg and nieces Anne, of South Boston, and Lisa, of Charlotte, N.C. Hugh has cousins in England and Australia.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach, 36th and Pacific Avenue, followed by a luncheon reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Moomaw Scholarship Endowment Fund in care of Cape Henry Collegiate School, 1320 Mill Dam Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23454.
Published in The Virginian Pilot on December 23, 2011