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Editorials
A true public servant
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of J. Richard Latham, who died suddenly and unexpectedly this Wednesday.
Mr. Latham was a dedicated public servant. As a member of the Board of Supervisors, the Welfare Board and the Board of Electoral Trustees, he gave freely of his time and talents. A native of Rappahannock and a farmer by profession, he was a steward of the land and worked to preserve the resources that give the county its unique character. And he worked just as hard to provide educational services for our young people and social services to those in need.
He had decided not to seek re-election in 1983, but was persuaded to run by constituents who did not want to lose his representation. “There were things unfinished that I wanted to see completed,” the former chairman of the Board of Supervisors said, explaining his decision.
But with three more years behind him, Mr. Latham had again made up his mind to retire as a public official. Asked recently if he couldn’t be persuaded just one more time, he shook his head, his face creasing into that characteristic little grin, the laugh lines etched deeper around his eyes. “Absolutely not!” he said. “It’s not just the 15 years I’ve been on the Board of Supervisors. My father served on the board and he brought the job home with him, too. So it’s been more like a half century, and that’s long enough for the phone to ring all through dinner and into the night. I owe it to my family, and I owe me!” he said.
We’re so sorry tnat he didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy that well deserved retirement.
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