Local historian remembered for his study of Marshall
Dr. Larry I. Bland – historian, author and teacher – died of heart failure Tuesday in Lexington. He was 67.
Generally recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the life and career of former Secretary of State George C. Marshall, Bland was editing the sixth volume of "The Papers of George Catlett Marshall" when he died.
In addition to his work at the Marshall Foundation, Bland served as managing editor of the "Journal of Military History" for 19 years. He recently received The Victor Gondos Memorial Service Award for long, distinguished and outstanding service to the Society for Military History.
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Photo courtesy of George C. Marshall Foundation |
Prof. Theodore DeLaney, a close friend and head of the Washington and Lee’s history department, said Bland was a tremendously smart, gifted man with a delightful sense of humor.
“He was a kind man, a man who had great talent and a man who will be sorely missed by the community,” DeLaney said.
Bland was active in Rockbridge County history affairs and often volunteered at the Virginia Military Institute’s theater, where his wife, Joellen, served as director.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 7 at the George C. Marshall Foundation at VMI. The family asks that contributions be made to the George C. Marshall Foundation, the Rockbridge Historical Society or the VMI Theatre.
Marshall Foundation
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