Editor, Gazette-Journal:
As a bit of background: I’ve known Bob “JJ” Orth for almost 50 years. At the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), JJ was a marine biologist and I was a grad student. I was impressed with JJ’s enthusiasm for research in submerged aquatic vegetation (sea grass, nursery grounds for crabs, fish and shellfish). JJ headed up a large scientific research program, with a good sized staff, multiple funding agencies and budgets in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Over the course of his career, JJ received numerous VIMS, William and Mary and state recognition awards.
In the 1970s-1980s, Abingdon Rescue Squad was based at VIMS, and many volunteers, including JJ, came from VIMS. JJ was active in the rescue squad, recruited many volunteers, and headed up fundraising efforts for many years. His wife, Nancy, was a teacher in Gloucester schools. JJ was actively involved in school sport and county recreation programs. Their two daughters graduated from Gloucester Hig...