WHEREAS, Calvin H. Thigpen, Sr., M.D., a distinguished member of the South Chesterfield community who served the residents of Central Virginia as both an attorney and a physician, died on January 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, a native of Greenville, North Carolina, Calvin Thigpen graduated from Henderson Institute High School at the age of 15 and enrolled in a plumber's apprentice program at Norfolk Naval Shipyard; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Thigpen joined many of the other young men of his generation in service to the nation as a member of the United States Army during World War II; he was selected for Officer Candidate School and received an honorable discharge as a first lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, after completing his military service, Calvin Thigpen earned a bachelor's degree from what is now Virginia State University and went on to inspire students as an educator for Hopewell City Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Thigpen continued his own education at the University of Virginia, where he earned a medical degree in 1962; after completing his residency at the Medical College of Virginia, he opened a private practice and cared for the residents of Petersburg for more than 30 years; and

WHEREAS, in 1974, Calvin Thigpen also earned a law degree from the University of Virginia, and for over a decade he served local residents as both an attorney and a medical doctor from the same office; and

WHEREAS, Calvin Thigpen earned many awards and accolades for his good work, including the rare honor of being named as both a fellow and a diplomate of the American College of Legal Medicine; he served on the Board of Visitors of Virginia State University, as president of the Petersburg Bar Association, and as a two-term chief of staff at Petersburg General Hospital; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by his wife, Vera, Calvin Thigpen will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his children, Calvin, Jr., and Vera, and their families, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Calvin H. Thigpen, Sr., M.D., a respected attorney and physician who made many contributions to the residents of Central Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Calvin H. Thigpen, Sr., M.D., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.