Category: 1970s

William Davis Fishback, Jr., 76, passed away at home Tuesday, July 16th. Born in Lexington, KY, he was the son of the late William Davis Fishback, Sr. and Frances Gore Fishback. Dave graduated from The Lexington School, Henry Clay, Davidson College and Auburn University where he received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. While doing a veterinary internship in Charlottesville, VA he met his future wife, Betsy Buchanan Fishback. Dave began his veterinary career at Woodford Veterinary Clinic, moving to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in 1975. He would remain at Hagyard for the remainder of his career, serving as President for over a decade, and retiring in 2018. He would always state that he had the best job because he was able to drive around the bluegrass, see all of his best friends, and take care of horses everyday. Dave also had a passion for his family business. He and his father bred stakes winning Thoroughbreds and Angus cattle at their family farm, Glen Airy, in Versailles. Dave wore several other hats in the equine and local community. He served many boards and organizations throughout his life: The Lexington School Board of Trustees, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Pisgah Community Club, Pisgah Presbyterian Church Session, Woodford Humane Society, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, The American Veterinary Medical Association-Council on Education, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, and Thoroughbred Club of America. Giving back was a way of life for him, and something for which he never wanted to receive praise. 

More than anything, Dave took much pride in his relationships with family and friends. Dave was a devoted friend, son, brother, husband, father, and a very proud grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betsy Buchanan Fishback. Dave is survived by his daughters, Leslie Fishback Cutchins and husband Chip of Virginia Beach, Sarah Davis Fishback of Lexington, and his grandchildren, Cooper Anne Cutchins, Cecil Vaughan Cutchins, III, and Elizabeth Davis Cutchins, all of Virginia Beach. Dave is also survived by his sister, Frances Fishback Allen, his sister-in-law, Deborah Ann Buchanan, and three nieces, Sheila Camp Motley, Robin Janette Allen, and Elizabeth Allen Giordano.

Visitation will be held at Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home in Versailles, KY from 5pm to 8pm on Sunday, July 21st. On Monday, July 22nd a Celebration of Life will take place at Holly Hill Inn in Midway, KY from 2pm to 5pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, P.O. Box 13155, Lexington, KY 40511, the Markey Cancer Foundation, 115 Waller Avenue, Lexington, KY 40503, or Woodford Humane Society, P.O. Box 44, Versailles, KY 40383.

Gilbert “Hugh” Moore Jr, 71 of Sanford passed away Monday June 24, 2024. 

Funeral arrangements are pending. 

Hugh was the son of the late Gilbert Hugh Moore Sr and Lavonna Deel Moore. He was born on February 4, 1953, in Hampton, Virginia. As a child, Hugh and his family moved frequently for his father’s career as a salesman. Most of his childhood was spent in Charlotte and Greensboro. He graduated from Davidson College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Following college, Hugh served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer in Iran for a year before attending law school at the University of North Carolina from 1975-1978. Hugh first practiced law in Louisburg for a short time and then moved to Sanford where he was a well-respected attorney for more than 40 years. He was devoted to his career and was passionate about working toward justice and advocating for people from all walks of life. Molly McElveen, his office manager, was his trusted right hand for nearly his entire career.

Sanford was home for Hugh, and he was actively involved in the community. He participated in many local organizations throughout his life including the Optimist Club, Haven, Friends of the Library, the Hispanic Task Force, the Lee County Board of Elections, Willing Hands, and the local Democratic party. Kiwanis Park was one of his favorite places to exercise. Hugh had a love for words and looked forward to Sanford’s annual Spelling Bee competition.

Anyone who knew Hugh knew his love for UNC and Carolina sports. Depending on the season, he could be found at Kenan Stadium, the Dean Dome, or Boshamer Stadium cheering on his beloved Tar Heels. He took sports seriously and was always in a good mood after a Carolina victory.

Family was important to Hugh, and he dearly loved his three sisters. For many summers, the Moore Family vacationed at Emerald Isle creating beautiful memories. Hugh was proud of his nieces and nephews and was a special uncle to them.

One of the greatest joys of Hugh’s life was being Elizabeth’s father. He passed on to her his love of politics, trivia, music, and travel. They shared special trips to London and Spain. Watching Elizabeth grow up brought him great pride, and he thought very highly of her husband, Stuart. In his last year of life, Hugh became a granddaddy to James, and perhaps this was his favorite title of all. James could always make his granddaddy smile and filled him with tremendous happiness.

Hugh will be remembered as a smart, humble, generous, witty person who lived life to the fullest. He made the world a better place and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mr. Moore is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Grace Moore (Stuart Thomason) of Morrisville; grandson, James Lasater Thomason; sisters, Wanda Hunter (Tye) of Chapel Hill, Debbie MacDonald (Steve) of St Augustine, FL, and Libby Smith (Nelson) of Rocky Mount; best friend, Dr. Howard James; special friend, Laura Farmer; former wife, Virginia Moore; beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephew.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Friends Service Committee @ afsc.org; Amnesty International USA @ amnestyusa.org; or Doctors Without Borders USA @ donate.doctorswithoutborders.org. 

William R. “Bill” Giduz, longtime public relations official for Davidson College, advocate for affordable housing, and committed community servant died May 11, 2024 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 72.

Born April 12, 1952 in Chapel Hill, NC, he was the oldest son of the late Roland and Helen Giduz. Their example instilled in him the value of civic engagement, the importance of a loving home where no one is a stranger, and the habit of quiet assistance to people in need. He attended Durham Academy and graduated from Chapel Hill High School. 

At 18, he arrived at Davidson College as a freshman intending to major in Math. After one calculus class with a prof nicknamed “The Smiling F” he switched to a History major and French minor. That shift led to the formative experience of his life: Junior Year Abroad in Montpellier, France. Bill considered his best year at Davidson College to be the year he wasn’t at Davidson. In France, he bonded with classmates who became lifelong friends, a second family, and instigators of some risky activities. The Université de Montpellier being on strike much of the year, they opted for experiential learning over the classroom, wandering all over Europe and working on their “passable kitchen French” as one of them called it. Upon their return to Davidson senior year, they had to take double course loads to graduate on time.

After graduation, Bill embarked on two epic trips in 1975. The first was a 2,700-mile drive from Algeria to Togo through Africa’s Sahara Desert with Davidson classmate “Bruno” Sorrentino in a Citroën 2CV, known as a deux chevaux, or, as others called it, “an umbrella on wheels.”  

Bill followed that with a two-and-a-half-month overland trip with his brother Bob that took them by buses and trains from Brussels, Belgium to New Delhi, India, including through Afghanistan’s Khyber Pass. Bill returned in the pink of health; Bob arrived home to undergo lengthy treatment for hepatitis and other ailments he acquired during the trip that almost killed him.

After earning a master’s degree in journalism from New York’s Columbia University and racking up $500 in parking tickets, Bill moved to Atlanta to work in public relations for Southern Bell. Collection Agents from NYC tracked him down there and extracted the parking fines. Bill remained on the right side of the law after that.

In January of 1980, he started work at Davidson College as news writer and college photographer. It turned into a 37-year public relations career. He was a common sight around the tree-lined campus, long legs pedaling his bike, camera slung around his neck, looking for the moments and events that make up the college experience. He made a significant contribution to the College’s photo archives. In 2009 the College art gallery held a 30-year retrospective of his Davidson photos.

While chronicling college life was his profession, his greatest achievements may have been building a family, and serving his community in many ways. In 1981 he married Ellen Weber. They met riding in the back of a pickup truck on the way to a picnic at Stone Mountain with mutual friends. It wasn’t love at first sight. “I actually had my eye on his roommate,” Ellen said. “But as I got to know this kind, quirky, intrepid adventurer, I knew that he was a “oner” and that life with him would never be dull!”

During their 43-year marriage, they had two children, Jenny and Luke, and became part of the fabric of the town of Davidson. Giduz threw himself into a variety of civic activities, ranging from elementary school reading buddy and juggling instructor to founding staffer and editorial board member of the online newspaper NewsofDavidson.org. Believing that safe and affordable housing is the basis for strong communities, Bill got involved with local organizations dedicated to housing issues. He did writing and photography for Habitat for Humanity, Davidson Housing Coalition, the Rotary Club of Lake Norman, and various church efforts at Davidson United Methodist. 

“He published our monthly letter and was at house builds,” recalled Paul Leonard, who worked with Giduz for a decade at the Davidson Habitat for Humanity. Leonard went on to become a member of the international board of Habitat for Humanity, chairing it for two years, in addition to serving as interim CEO. “Bill was just always there to help us get the word out and get known in the community.”

Giduz was a recipient of the Town of Davidson’s Jack Burney Community Service Award for his positive impact on the town and its residents. Davidson College recognized him with its Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, for “unselfish service without due recognition.”

While Giduz enjoyed skiing, pickup basketball, bowling, and cycling—and even skydiving and spelunking–he made his biggest impact in juggling. 

After joining a fledgling group in Atlanta, he became active in the International Jugglers Association, applying his journalist’s skills to the organization’s management. He served as editor of Juggler’s World magazine from 1979-1996, and as president and a board member of the IJA. He’s credited with inventing “joggling”—simultaneously running and juggling—at one of the organization’s competitions. He helped organize local juggling groups and taught an accredited Phys. Ed. juggling class at Davidson. His love of juggling carried over to his family. His children remember being his “juggling props,” Luke, his son, said.  “He used to juggle us as babies along with two balls,” added his daughter, Jenny. His love of juggling is immortalized in a bench placed by the juggling community on the Davidson Village Green where he spent so many Sunday afternoons juggling and making new friends.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by his younger brothers Bob Giduz (Lee Carol) of Asheville and Tom Giduz (Betsy) of Chapel Hill, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte region website, at the Davidson Housing Coalition website, at the Davidson United Methodist Church website, or any other cause of your choice

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Davidson United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow.

(Editors’ note: It is with such sadness that the editorial board of News of Davidson says goodbye to Bill Giduz. Bill was one of our founders, and his photography and writing illuminated our efforts and elevated us with his consistent excellence, insight, wisdom, and artistic talent. He was a beloved colleague and dear friend. He helped our readers see into life here with stories and photographs of citizens and organizations. No one ever loved this town more than Bill or gave it more of himself. We will miss him deeply.

David Cain of the International Jugglers Association wrote an obituary about Bill and we want to share a link to it.)

Rusty Winchester, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and steadfast servant to others, died on May 6th at his home in Louisville, Tennessee at the age of 73. His death was due to complications from heart surgery. While his physical heart gave out, his loving heart did not. During his last days at home, he was surrounded by family who had the privilege of ushering him to his heavenly home with songs of love and words of peace.

Rush Berryhill “Rusty” Winchester Jr., the oldest of five children of Rush and Barbara Winchester, was born Nov. 16, 1950, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The family moved to Salisbury, Maryland in 1960. He was a graduate of James M. Bennett Senior High in Salisbury. He returned to North Carolina to attend Davidson College, where he was a legacy student in the footsteps of his father. Rusty’s bachelor’s degree was in psychology.

He came to Knoxville in 1973 to study educational psychology and guidance, for which he earned an M.S. degree. He then worked on and received a Ph.D. degree in Child and Family Studies from the former University of Tennessee College of Home Economics, now Human Ecology. His dissertation was on improving the readiness of parents to function as the primary sexuality educators of their own children.

Two of Rusty’s most passionate and dedicated roles were that of “Daddy Rabbit” and “Grandpop”. His ability to channel his inner child in all walks of life allowed him to connect with ease and sincerity. The imprint he leaves behind in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives is profound. His impact as a mentor reached beyond his own family, extending to his children’s closest friends, his adolescent clients, and children without a father figure of their own.

Another testament to Rusty’s compassion was working alongside Rob Kaniper in helping a lifelong friend and fellow musician who became incapable of taking care of himself. Rob said Rusty was such a “vibrant” person who was always thinking of others.

Rusty was a lifelong Vols fan and rarely missed watching a UT football game. He was a gifted woodworker and spent much of his free time in his workshop where he crafted many beautiful pieces of furniture for family and friends. He always loved working in his yard. Rusty was also often seen and heard at gatherings on the congas and bongos, sharing one of his life’s loves-music.

Music has always been a pillar of Rusty’s life. His talent as a drummer, singer, and songwriter led him to play a lead role in many bands, including his debut alongside his brother, Mike, and sister, Talley, in their high school garage band, Bittersweet. Rusty later co-created a folk rock band that was appropriately named, Living Room Talent (LRT). He often referred to LRT as Love’s the Real Thing, a phrase that highlighted a key theme of the songs he wrote and played. For many years, you would find Rusty on the drums every Sunday morning for the praise and worship band at New Providence Presbyterian Church.

Rusty was a well-known Knoxville-area therapist who will be sorely missed and remembered for his 50-year-long career offering healing and hope to his clients and colleagues. At the time of his death, he was a therapist at the Helen Ross McNabb Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee (SACET), where he had worked since 2018. While working at SACET, he facilitated two support groups for survivors of sexual abuse for men and women, respectively. He also managed a full caseload of clients from Knox and surrounding counties. Reflecting on his contributions to SACET and his clients there, his supervisor Joana Perez said, “As a man who defied stereotypes and societal norms, Rusty brought a unique perspective to his work, offering a beacon of hope to many men and women who had suffered in silence. His compassion knew no bounds, and his legacy of empowerment and healing will continue to inspire generations to come.”

During most of his career, Rusty worked with nonprofit agencies as a therapist or education specialist, but he also passed his knowledge and experience on to others in college settings. At Maryville College, he was director of the career center from 2009-2015; at Lincoln Memorial University, he served as assistant professor and chair of counseling in graduate education from 2003 to 2009 at the main Harrogate campus and adjunct counseling instructor at the Cedar Bluff campus teaching masters-level counseling classes in 2010 to 2018.

Those who worked with him had nothing but praise for his high level of energy, as well as his beautiful and equally corny sense of humor. Kim Campbell Byars, who worked with him when he was director at Project Against Sex Abuse of Appalachian Children at Child and Family Services in the 1990s, emphasized his exemplary listening, coaching, and supervising skills.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Sherrill, a high school sweetheart whom he married in 2011; 4 children: Betsy Parks (Matthew), Signal Mountain; Barbara Messerlian (Nick), Signal Mountain; Kylie Winchester (Landon Armstrong), and Cade Winchester; grandchildren, Ethan Parks, and Alex, Will and Ben Messerlian; brother and sisters, Mike Winchester (Susan), Talley Winchester (Jack Fox), and Susan Sawyer (Roger); brother-in-law, Terry Shope; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, Rush and Barbara Winchester; stepmom “Dottie” Winchester; and sister, Cindy Winchester.

Rusty’s contributions are immeasurable to every life he touched. One only had to be in his presence to see all that he was. His greatest goal in life was to make others feel heard, seen, valued, and loved. Let us all continue his work…that of a true servant’s heart.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, May 26th at 3:00pm at New Providence Presbyterian Church, with receiving of friends immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would kindly ask you to consider donating to New Providence Presbyterian Church (703 W Broadway Ave. Maryville, TN 37801) or Helen Ross McNabb Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee (200 Tech Center Dr, Knoxville, TN 37912).

 Margaret Darby died peacefully at home in the early morning of April 15 after living with lung cancer for about a year. She was 69 years old.

Margaret was born in South Boston, Virginia to newspaper writer/editor/owner Harwell M. Darby and homemaker Caroline Boxley Darby. Both parents had died by the time Margaret was 15 and she enrolled at Chatham Hall, a boarding school for young women where she acquired life-long friendships.

After graduation she spent time in Europe, studying languages accompanied by adventures which included hanging out with Greek sailors in Italy and working in a Normandy coastal restaurant that catered to fishermen coming in from the early morning catch. Eventually she returned to earn her bachelors at Davidson College as a music major with a piano specialty. She was always involved in college theater in various roles, including playing Rosalind, the heroine of Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

After college she considered and then abandoned a career path in music, instead spending a year in Birmingham, Alabama as a bilingual secretary for a French company. She then set her sights on learning simultaneous interpretation, enrolling at Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies in California (now part of Middlebury College.) After earning her masters there she again embarked for Europe. She added German and Italian, spending time in Saarbrücken and Florence, and interpreted from her three foreign languages into English. (She had passable Spanish, too, and had an interest in Mandarin.)

A resident of Brussels, Belgium for 10 years, she was was employed as a free-lancer, primarily working for the EC, the forerunner of the European Union. Returning to the U.S., she enrolled at Drexel University where she earned a masters in library science. A resident of Newark, Delaware she worked for the New Castle County Libraries, especially the Newark Free Library, and later the Cecil County, Maryland public schools, first Elk Neck Elementary and then Northeast High School. There she she revived the school newspaper and encouraged young writers, both the talented and those who hardly imagined they could write for the public.

In terms of Margaret’s own writing, she became a founding writer of Delaware Arts Info blog, publishing pieces on both music and theater. Margaret retired from school librarian work in 2015 and moved to Philadelphia with her partner, musician Chuck Holdeman. She continued writing for various arts blogs, especially the Broad Street Review. A member of the German Society of Pennsylvania, she was in the Buchclub which read and discussed German literature; Margaret also wrote articles about the society’s chamber music series for its quarterly newsletter. Remaining an avid pianist Margaret practiced everyday and played chamber music for fun. She and Chuck sustained each other with Bach sonatas during the pandemic. In her last year Margaret kept going despite the onset of an aggressive lung cancer.

She is survived by her partner Chuck Holdeman, her brother Sam Darby and his wife Jeanie, her sister Caroline Darby Wehner and her husband Bill, and by various cousins, especially on the Darby side, and also on the Boxley side. She also became close with Chuck’s five children and one grandson. Margaret was a lively, fun, and determined, independent person. She and Chuck were often seen walking hand in hand when she would regale him with a seemingly limitless repertoire of songs in all her languages. She was charitable and became interested in philanthropy. While she had no one favorite charity, any donations friends might make to charities and non-profits in her memory are encouraged. Margaret will be remembered by many gatherings of friends and her ashes will be interred at the family plot in Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, Virginia