J. Hirst Lederle, Former Faculty Member, Dies July 16

John Hirst Lederle, associate professor emeritus of engineering technology, died July 16, 2008, in his Norfolk home. He was 81.

Hirst, who joined the Old Dominion faculty in 1960 and retired in 1992, received his B.S. degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1951 and his M.S. degree from the University of Tennessee in 1968.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-51 and the U.S. Air Force from 1951-58.

Lederle taught electrical engineering technology for more than 30 years. He began his career teaching in the former Technical Institute, which was subsequently merged with Old Dominion College prior to its achieving university status.

Along with his teaching activities, Lederle was a principal investigator on research projects funded by the Naval Surface Weapons Center and the Center for Innovative Technology. He wrote several laboratory manuals for both electrical engineering technology majors and non-majors. He served as an officer in the local chapter of AAUP and on the Faculty Senate.

Lederle was listed in "Who's Who in the South" and was a member of Miles Memorial United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Jean K. Lederle; a daughter, Fern Lederle McDougal; a daughter, Sherry Seacrist Davis; a daughter, Marybeth Seacrist Shullick; a son, Jay Seacrist; five grandsons; three granddaughters; two great-grandsons; and one great-granddaughter.

A funeral will be held at Miles Memorial United Methodist Church at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, by the Rev. Kathleen M.R. Monge and the Rev. Tommy Markham. Entombment will follow in Rosewood Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel, is handling the arrangements.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.