R. H. French, 79, Retired Professor, Buried Tuesday [May 30, 1978]

Funeral services for Raymond Holliday French, 79, were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at T.D. Marks Funeral Home, Warsaw, with interment in Henderson United Methodist Church Cemetery, Hyacinth. A retired professor of chemistry at Longwood College, Mr. French died Friday, May 26, in Orlando, Fla.

Affectionately known as “Charlie Hop” by the Longwood students and friends, Mr. French was honored by the college in naming the student activities building for him. The French building has now been converted to a dormitory.

Mr. French taught at Longwood for 35 years, 1929 to 1964. He was a graduate of VPI, and attended Columbia University.

He is survived by his son, R. H. French, Jr., of Orlando, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Alan G. Wilkerson and Mrs. Arthur Packett, both of Warsaw; two brothers, William H. French, of Warsaw, and Benjamin F. French, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and four grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Raymond H. French scholarship Fund at Longwood College.

[The Farmville (VA) Herald, Wednesday, May 31, 1978]

Photographs below, left to right: RH at one year; RH and son out by the woodshed, favorite location for fatherly lectures; RH was the sponsoring faculty member of the Northern Neck Club at Longwood College, VA.; the 1963 edition of the school yearbook, The Virginian, was dedicated to RH and Dr. George W. Jeffers. RH was always an ambassador for the collage, promoting the school and seeking out alumni for fellowship. The Sentinel captured one such luncheon here in Orlando. Police Chief Johnston, although not an alumnus of the school, moved to Orlando after many years of service as a Virginia State Trooper and living in Farmville, VA.