The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING LUKE WALDROP
______
HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Friday, March 26, 2021
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of Louis Stephens
``Luke'' Waldrop Sr. of Salem, Virginia, who passed away on March 12, 2021 at the age of 97. Mr. Waldrop was a real estate developer and philanthropist who made a tremendous impact on Salem throughout his long and active life.
Mr. Waldrop was born on June 11, 1923 to Alexander Atkinson and Carolyn Bear Waldrop. He grew up in Roanoke and attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria. His collegiate studies at the University of Virginia (UVA) were interrupted by World War II, in which he served as a Navy medic in the Pacific theater. After completing his service, Mr. Waldrop returned to UVA to finish his degree and married Harriett, at the time a senior at Mary Baldwin College.
After a stint in Richmond, Mr. Waldrop moved with his young family back to his native Roanoke Valley. His brother John introduced him to R.L. Russ, who educated him in the real estate business. Mr. Waldrop launched his own company, L.S. Waldrop Realty, in 1956.
Much of our country was remade by the housing boom that followed World War II. It was Luke Waldrop that harnessed that boom to remake Salem. With a keen sense for deal making and closing the sale, he drove forward residential and business development. Middleton Gardens, West Club Forest, Woodbridge, Spartan Square, Salem Terrace at Harrogate, Caroline Forest Apartments, and over 900 single family homes resulted from his professional efforts.
Mr. Waldrop was devoted to charitable causes and community organizations in Salem and beyond. Among the educational institutions that benefited from his contributions and support for endowed scholarships are his alma mater UVA, Roanoke College, Mary Baldwin College, Virginia Western Community College, and Episcopal High School. He was on the vestry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, belonged to and at one time served as president of the Salem Rotary, and served on the Roanoke County Planning Commission.
Mr. Waldrop was preceded in death by his first wife, Harriett, his second wife, Anne ``Dickie'' Dickson Jordon Waldrop, and grandson Adam Thomas Waldrop. He is survived by children Kathryn Kerkering (Tom), Caroline Buckman Haddock, Louis Stephens ``Steve'' Waldrop Jr., Preston Adam Waldrop (Jamie), Harriett Ann Waldrop, and Laura Doub (Bruce); thirteen grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and numerous great-
grandchildren. I offer them my condolences on the loss of Luke Waldrop, a member of the Greatest Generation who changed Salem for the better over his many decades in business and in service.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 57
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up