Waiting for the 3rd shoe to drop

They say deaths come in threes.

Al Teich Jr. (VP)

Monday morning, I saw in the obituaries that Al Teich had died Sunday. I was surprised that it took until Tuesday afternoon for The Virginian-Pilot to mention it – and then only in a brief piece mostly garnered from Monday’s obituary.  In the old days, the paper would have an article pretty much already written when someone of his stature died. Is there a lack of institutional memory in the news room these days? Columnist Kerry Dougherty picked up the slack today. Among his many accomplishments, Teich taught business law at ODU.

I foolishly took the first half of business law in a shortened summer session (can’t remember whether it was 4 weeks or 6 weeks) back in 1980. I’ve never worked so hard for a course in my entire college career. As demanding as he was, I enjoyed every minute; so much so, that when I had to take the second half, I made sure to get him again – but in a regular semester One of my fondest memories of him in those days was him driving around campus in a big yellow Cadillac convertible.

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Owen Picket

Around 11pm last night, I received an email from Governor Bob McDonnell on the passing of former 2nd District Congressman Owen Pickett. Within a relatively short period of time, the Pilot had an article up and others, including Senator Mark Warner, released statements.

Pickett, a moderate Democrat, followed moderate Republican G. William Whitehurst in representing this swing district. He remained active in helping other candidates after his retirement in 2001.  I have tons of photos of him at various events – the one here is from Mark Warner’s Norfolk kickoff in May 2008.

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Two of the region’s leaders lost in one week. We are richer for their service and poorer for their demise.

I’m waiting for the third shoe to drop.