Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 29, 1994 TAG: 9401290139
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Sadler, 78, senior partner with the firm of Gilmer Sadler Ingram Sutherland & Hutton, had retired in December and moved to Charlottesville.
"It really was a brief illness" Bob Ingram, a partner in the firm, said Friday. Sadler died at the infirmary of Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, a retirement center.
Ingram said Sadler's retirement was tied to his illness, which was at an advanced stage when discovered.
Those who knew and worked with Sadler described him as a Christian gentleman, a mentor to many, a lawyer's lawyer and a consummate community citizen.
"I think he was truly perhaps the most generous and unselfish man I had ever known. He cared very much for people and his clients no matter who they were, what they had or didn't have," Ingram said.
"He gave so much of himself to so many without fanfare."
Over the years, Sadler held many prominent positions within the community. He was president of both the Pulaski County Jaycees and the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, and he served as School Board chairman from 1958 to 1968.
In addition, Sadler was recognized recently for his work on behalf of New River Community Action, Habitat for Humanity, Pulaski Daily Bread and SHARE, as well as his service to the March of Dimes, the Pulaski YMCA and other charitable organizations.
Sadler is credited with starting the Free Clinic of Pulaski County Inc.
The Free Clinic uses volunteers to provide medical help to people who cannot afford it. It also serves as a screening and referral source for the community. Sadler and Dr. Jack Knarr joined some local ministers in starting the clinic in 1983.
Earlier this week, the clinic's directors voted to name its new facility after Sadler and were saddened to learn of Sadler's death before he could attend dedication ceremonies planned for later this year.
"The board voted to name the new facility after Phil because he had such an integral part in the establishment of the Free Clinic in Pulaski," said Mary Ann Vine, president of the board of the Free Clinic of Pulaski County Inc.
Vine said that unlike other efforts that Sadler joined, "there wouldn't be a Free Clinic in Pulaski if it weren't for Phil. . . . He started the Free Clinic. We have him to thank for whatever we have here."
The Free Clinic will move - possibly next month - from the county Health Department facilities to the old Jefferson School.
"It's a tremendous, tremendous loss to me personally," said Gary Hancock, a member of Sadler's firm and Pulaski's mayor. "He is probably the finest person I've ever known.
"He cared so deeply about people, particularly people who were disadvantaged," Hancock said. `He never sought any thanks or recognition for what he did. He would have given his last dollar if he could help somebody."
When Hancock joined the firm 17 years ago, Sadler was president of the Virginia State Bar.
Sadler was a native of Tennessee. Before becoming a lawyer, Sadler was a high school and business school teacher, and also worked briefly for the Government Accounting Office. During World War II, he served in the Navy and was commissioned as an officer in 1942. Among other commendations, Sadler earned the Purple Heart for his role in the Battle of Okinawa. He retired from the military with the rank of lieutenant commander.
Following graduation from the University of Virginia School of Law, Sadler began practicing law in Virginia in 1947.
He was a member of several Virginia Bar committees, including the panel that studied whether to permit cameras in Virginia's courtrooms.
He was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Pulaski, where a memorial service will be held Monday at 2 p.m.
Sadler also once headed the Pulaski County Democratic Committee and only narrowly lost a race for the Virginia Senate.
Sadler was recognized in November by the Legal Aid Society of the New River Valley for his involvement in the Private Bar Involvement program.
He was praised as one of "very few senior attorneys that we have on our panel," by Debra Scott, Legal Aid's administrator and senior paralegal. Sadler's work for the Legal Aid Society included probating wills, power of attorney documents, partition suits and family law cases.
Scott said Sadler was "always willing to take any case - contested and not contested."
Thomas McCarthy, another member of the Gilmer Sadler firm, said the way Sadler lived his life was a great example to all.
"He was a friend to people of all walks of life." McCarthy said. "The Democratic Party and his profession has lost a great leader."
Ingram said "it was hard for anyone who knew him well not to love him dearly.
"His passing is a great loss to all of us who worked with him. But if there ever was anybody that we believe has a nonstop, no-detour entry into that heavenly place, we know that he's already there."
by CNB