Edward Polhamus

POLHAMUS, Dr. Edward Charles, Jr, died peacefully at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA, on October 13, 2018.  Born March 22, 1948, in Hampton, VA, he was raised in Newport News, VA, where he graduated in 1966 as valedictorian from Ferguson High School.  After earning his Bachelor of Science at Michigan State University and Master of Science at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, he moved to Danville in 1972 to teach mathematics at Danville Community College.  Ed was passionate about education in the City of Danville.  Early in his career, he co-authored the textbook, “Applied Math for Technicians,” with fellow DCC professors.   While at DCC, he earned his doctorate degree in education from Virginia Tech. The pride of his teaching career was his development of the mathematics course for registered nurse diploma program applicants.  Following his retirement in 2006, he continued to teach this course through 2012 as an adjunct faculty.  In addition to his time in the classroom, he was Division Chairman of Arts and Sciences from 1989-1998.  In 2004, he was appointed to the Danville School Board before winning election in 2008 followed by re-elections in 2012 and 2016.  He was School Board Chairman from 2013-2016. Ed was a founding member of Danville Area Choral Arts Society in the late 1980s, which is where he met his second wife, Linda.  He formed many life-long friendships as an active member of College Park Baptist Church for two decades.  After his marriage to Linda in 1992, he joined Ascension Lutheran Church where he served in numerous roles including president of church council. As an avid sports enthusiast, Ed coached his sons in Little League baseball in the late 1980s and subsequently served as Piedmont Little League Commissioner.  He was a charter member of the Danville Braves Booster club.  In 2013, he was inducted into Danville Community College’s Alumni Association Sports Hall of Fame for his role as announcer for the baseball team, earning the accolade, “The Voice of the Knights.”  He was a vocal fan of Averett University softball and volleyball teams. Ed was known for completing daily crossword puzzles at his favorite coffee shops.  He vacationed annually at Holden Beach and Blowing Rock, NC.  He could be found at most events involving any of his four grandchildren. Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Linda.  Survivors include his brother Bill (Linda) of Roanoke; sons Winston of Virginia Beach and William (Tara) of Midlothian; step-son Devin LaFlamme of Danville; step-daughter Brenda Taylor (Adam) of Danville; grandchildren Delaney West, Cole Polhamus, Josie Polhamus, and Ava Taylor; and nephews Brian (Kenny) of Honduras and Scott of Bluefield, WV. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 Tuesday, October 23, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Danville.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Danville Area Choral Arts Society, C/O Treasurer Kim Meeks, 130 Tolliver Place, Danville, VA 24541, or your preferred Danville charity. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at SOVAH for their compassionate care. Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be directed to www.townesfuneralhome.com.