Bill Text: VA SJR176 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Charles W. Ahrend.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-03 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ176ER) [SJR176 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR176-Introduced.html
WHEREAS, Charles W. Ahrend, former member of the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors who devoted years of his life in service to his community, died on June 24, 2019; and
WHEREAS, in his early years, Charles "Chuck" Ahrend served in the United States Navy during World War II and graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1951; and
WHEREAS, raised on a 50-acre vegetable farm in Staten Island, New York, Chuck Ahrend was eminently prepared for an agriculture career; for over 20 years, he worked in the agricultural department of Campbell Soup Company before starting his own livestock farm in Albemarle raising hogs, cattle, and sheep; and
WHEREAS, relocating his farm to Singers Glen in 1975 and operating there until 2008, Chuck Ahrend became intimately familiar with the concerns of farmers and agricultural workers in Rockingham County, gaining experience that would later inform his efforts as a civic leader; and
WHEREAS, for over 20 years, Chuck Ahrend represented District 2, including the communities of Singers Glen, Edom, Melrose, Mount Clinton, and Ottobine, on the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors, where his leadership and good humor helped build consensus and guide the board through many important policy issues affecting the growth and prosperity of Rockingham County; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Ahrend was instrumental in promoting the agricultural industry in the region as director of the Rockingham County Farm Bureau Association, member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee of the Virginia Association of Counties, state representative on the National Pork Producers Council, and gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Pork Industry Board and the State Water Commission; and
WHEREAS, ever active in his community, either through service with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Foundation, and the Singers Glen Ruritan Club or as a fixture at the Rockingham County Fair, where he served on the board and was famous for the pork barbecue he cooked each year, Chuck Ahrend found a way to touch the lives of countless individuals; and
WHEREAS, inspired by his faith to serve others, Chuck Ahrend enjoyed worship and fellowship with his community as a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg; and
WHEREAS, preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy, Chuck Ahrend will be dearly remembered and sorely missed by his children, Charles, Kerry, and Robin, their families, and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Charles W. Ahrend, dedicated public servant and cherished member of the Rockingham community; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Charles W. Ahrend as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.
