by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB
Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: MONDAY, February 17, 1992 TAG: 9202170028 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: DATELINE: BRIDGEWATER LENGTH: Long
OBIT HUFFMAN, DR. N.
Dr. Nelson Thomas Huffman, age 90, died Friday, February 14, 1992, at the Bridge water Home, Bridgewater, Va., where he had been a resident since November 20, 1991. On November 4, 1901, Dr. Huffman was born in Rileyville, Va., to the late William H. and Ella Mae Sours Huffman. As a young child his family moved from Rileyville to Augusta County for a short time and then to Bridgewater, Va., where he resided for 81 years. Dr. Huffman was a member of the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren where he served on many committees, and directed their choir for 50 plus years. He was a charter member of the Bridgewater Rotary Club and was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He served part of a term on the Town Council, and then was elected mayor of Bridgewater, serving three consecutive terms. Dr. Huffman was a graduate of Bridgewater High School. He was the composer of the Bridgewater High School song "Bridgewater Spirit". In 1925 he graduated from Bridgewater College where he studied music and sang in the Glee Club and the Male Quartet. He also was the captain of the varsity basketball team two years. He received his BM degree from Peabody Conservatory, and his MM degree from Cincinnati Conservatory and Northwestern University. He was presented an honorary doctorate of music degree from Bridgewater College. Dr. Huffman was professor of music at Bridgewater College from 1925 until his retirement May 30, 1965. Prf. Huffman received from Dr. Jesse D. Robertson, alumni president, the 1965 Alumnus of the Year Award, as a climax of the All-Time Glee Club Concert in the Alumni Gymnasium. During his 40 years of teaching "Prof" Huffman, as he was affectionately known to generations of Bridgewater students, built a reputation as a choral director and song leader, amassed a modest fortune through his business activities, and became a noted church and civic leader. He composed and arranged music late at night, the only time he could escape temporarily from his many duties and numerous calls on his time. In addition to teaching voice at Bridgewater, "Prof" Huffman directed the Glee Club, the quartets, and music for special programs. Dr. Huffman directed music for the Church of the Brethren annual conference on many occasions, where he was honored with the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award by the denomination's Commission on Higher Education. His Glee Club gave concerts two consecutive years in Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. He directed the Glee Club in 1965 in singing Handel's Messiah for the 22nd time. For four consecutive years he directed a mass chorus in an Easter Sunrise Service at Natural Bridge which was carried over a nationwide radio network. For 25 years he directed the music for the Massanetta Bible Conference. He also directed music for city-wide preaching missions in Norfolk, Wheeling, W.Va., Spartanburg, S.C., and Bristol, Tenn. In the 1930's he went into business while continuing his musical career. He became a salesman with Investors Diversified Service. Then he became part owner of the Coon Branch Coal Company of Rainelle, W.Va.; a partner in the Lambert Pharmaceutical Co. of Lynchburg; and a manufacturer of novelty furniture and metal trays in Bridgewater. While he was busiest with teaching, choral directing, business activities, and civic duties, he found time for composing and arranging music. His best known compositions are "Praise to Bridgewater", composed for the 75th anniversary celebration of Bridgewater College in 1955; "Ascription of Praise" and "Until He Smiled On Me." One of his most successful arrangements is "Holy, Holy, Art Thou", an arrangement for a male chorus. His most recent composition was the "Bridgewater Song", written during the summer of 1991. Following his retirement in 1965, Dr. Huffman realized a longheld dream when he organized the Rockingham Male Chorus, November 6, 1966. As the director and founder, Dr. Huffman and the chorus gave 500 programs, from Pennsylvania to Florida, with his final performance November 29, 1987, at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, with over 1000 people in attendance. On September 14, 1922, he was united in marriage to the former Bertha Barbara Thomas, who preceded him in death one month ago, January 14, 1992. Dr. Huffman is survived by one daughter, Eleanor Christine Myers of Timberville; one son, Nelson Thomas (Tom) Huffman II of Roanoke, Va.; one sister, Bessie H. Strickler, and one brother, Lester W. Huffman, both of Roanoke; five grandchildren, Cindy M. Grandle, Sharon M. Fink, Michael C. Huffman, Lorrie L. Huffman, and Todd P. Huffman; four great-grandchildren, three stepgrandchildren, and one stepgreat-grandchild. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Leo S., Arthur S., and Joseph B. Huffman. A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 1992, in the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. The Revs. Robert Sherfy, Robert Alley, and Rob Morris will officiate. A private graveside service will be earlier in the Oaklawn Cemetery, Bridgewater, Va. The family will receive friends at the Johnson Funeral Home, Bridgewater, Tuesday evening, February 18, between the hours of 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Bridgewater Rotary Club "Nelson T. Huffman Scholarship Fund" in care of M.B. Plecker Jr., 206 W. Bank St., Bridgewater, Va., 22812, or the Rockingham Male Chorus, in care of Marvin Salbaugh, Route 8, Box 120, Harrisonburg, Va., 22801.