
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 31, 1995                   TAG: 9507310142
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

KATHERINE HOGE, LAND GIVER, DIES

Decades from now, people may not recognize the name Katherine Estes Hoge, but they will recognize her gift to Blacksburg - 31 acres that will never be developed.

Hoge, 91, died Saturday at her Blacksburg home. Her contribution of Palmer Hill will be some of Blacksburg's last undeveloped land where cows roam and nibble at the grass.

The town and Hoge negotiated about four years ago to create a conservation easement. The easement made it unlikely the land will ever be developed.

When Hoge made the agreement final in 1991, she said, ``There are things more important to me than money.''

A graduate of The State Teachers College (now called James Madison University) in 1926 with a bachelor of science degree in home economics, Hoge also completed graduate-level work at the College of William and Mary, the University of Arkansas and Virginia Tech.

She taught home economics in Virginia for seven years, was a Farm Security Administration supervisor for eight years and an extension agent for 24 years.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Blacksburg Christian Church.

by CNB