ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 1996 TAG: 9603130072
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN STAFF WRITER
A 24-year-old Marine from Rural Retreat died early Monday after falling from the second-floor window of a hotel in Rome, police said.
Larry Vernon, believed to be a lance corporal serving aboard a ship in the Adriatic Sea, was on leave in the Italian city.
Vernon and some other Marines returned to their hotel room after spending the evening at a bar. Vernon apparently lost his balance on the window ledge and fell, police said. He died at a hospital.
News of Vernon's death saddened the Roanoke College community, where the 1995 honors program graduate was well-known among students and faculty.
"Larry was one of those people who loved school, who loved to learn," said Bobbye Au, an English professor and director of the college's honor program. "He was what an honors program is supposed to be about."
Vernon majored in political science and wanted to be a lawyer, said C. William Hill Jr., his academic adviser.
He loved being a Marine, graduated second or third in his basic training class and planned to apply to Officer Candidate School, Hill said.
While at Roanoke College, Vernon was a presidential host - he greeted guests at functions held at the college president's home - and gave campus tours for the admissions office. He was active in the Lutheran campus ministry organization.
In addition, Vernon interned in U.S. Sen. Charles Robb's office and admired the former Marine officer, which might have influenced his decision to join the corps, Hill said. Vernon got more involved with the Young Democrats after his internship and later was on Robb's local re-election committee.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB