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2020 SESSION
20102886DWHEREAS, Robert Hopkins Strickler, a prosperous businessman, generous philanthropist, and beloved member of the Rockingham community, died on May 24, 2019; and
WHEREAS, born in Rockingham County in 1928, Robert Hopkins “Twig” Strickler graduated with a degree in business administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in 1950; and
WHEREAS, after completing the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program his senior year of school, Twig Strickler was commissioned as a second lieutenant and stationed in Germany for two years; and
WHEREAS, upon returning to the Shenandoah Valley in 1953, Twig Strickler resumed his position in the family business, Rocco Feeds; the company flourished under his management and by the time he retired as chief executive officer in 1985, Rocco Feeds had expanded into a large food company known as Rocco Enterprises; and
WHEREAS, several organizations benefited from Twig Strickler’s leadership and guidance; over the years, he served as chairman of BlueCross BlueShield of Virginia and the Rockingham Memorial Hospital Foundation, director of Rockingham National Bank, president of the Farm Credit Bank of Baltimore, and several professional agricultural associations in the state; and
WHEREAS, Twig Strickler received many awards throughout his life for his accomplishments and good deeds as a successful businessman and passionate philanthropist, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Turkey Federation in 2013 in recognition of his role in transforming the modern turkey industry; and honors from the City of Harrisonburg for his exceptional support of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society; and
WHEREAS, the son of educators, Twig Strickler gladly supported many education programs in the region, including scholarships and professorships at Virginia Tech, Blue Ridge Community College, Bridgewater College, and James Madison University; and the Robert Burtner and Gladys Hopkins Strickler Honored Teachers Essay Contest, which he started in 1996 to honor his parents and celebrate local educators; and
WHEREAS, inspired by his faith to live a life in service to others, Twig Strickler enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community as a lifelong member of Asbury United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Twig Strickler will be dearly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Lorraine; his sons, Robert, David, Scott, and Mark, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Robert Hopkins Strickler, a respected businessman and philanthropist dedicated to helping his community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Robert Hopkins Strickler as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.