William Kenneth Dove

CDR WILLIAM K. DOVE McCLEAN, VA CDR William Kenneth Dove, NSNR (Ret.) died March 5, 2012, at his home in McLean He was born in Staunton, the son of Arthur W. Dove and Bessie Ann Paxton Dove. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Mary Wooddell Dove; a son, William K. Dove II (Wik) and granddaughter, Anna Louise Dove, of Somerset; a stepson, David A. Addison of Richmond; a brother-in-law, James H. Wooddell and his wife, Heidi Anna, of Okeana, Ohio; and a special friend, Judy C. Cash of the McIntire School of Commerce. He received his early education in the Staunton public schools, where he was an able and productive student and athlete. While at the University of Virginia, he became so appreciative of the college preparation offered in the Staunton school system, he was inspired to write a thesis as part of his master's degree program in education, "The History and Development of Education in Staunton." This thesis is considered a premier production and may be found in the rare book section of the Staunton Public Library and the Alderman Library at the University of Virginia. Prior to entering high school, because of his athletic ability and competitive spirit, he was permitted to practice and scrimmage with the high school football team, but was not allowed to participate in scheduled games. Following his high school football career, he was recommended for a football scholarship at the University of Virginia; however, he later declined the scholarship in favor of academic pursuits. He was an honor graduate of the University of Virginia, receiving B.S. and M.A. degrees. During his final year at the university, he served as a student instructor in economics. He was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, the Jefferson Society and he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He also was a graduate of the Navy Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif. In recent years, he was an active member of the Cornerstone Board of the McIntire School of Commerce of the University of Virginia. Following graduation from the university, he reported as an ensign in the Naval Reserve to N.A.S. Pensacola and subsequently to other naval air commands for duty involving flight training. Early World War II found him short-toured aboard the USS Arkansas, USS Pocomoke, USS Currituck and as a Seventh Fleet liaison officer aboard the carrier HMS Atheling. On later assignments, he moved from the South Pacific area to squadrons operating in the China, Burma, India Theatre, the Philippines and China. His last squadron assignment of the war was Bombing Patrol Squadron VPB-119, which earned much notoriety for action in the Philippines and China seas area. He flew with that squadron until late 1945, at which time he returned to the U.S. and was ordered to NAS Banana River, Florida (now Cape Kennedy), as instructor for advance training units. In recognition of his military service, CDR Dove was awarded, in addition to many area campaign medals, two Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters and the Bronze Star medal. In 1946, he joined the staff of Staunton Military Academy and remained there until 1963, serving the last seven years as Commandant of Cadets. During those years, he continued to serve on active duty in the Navy during winter and summer furloughs from academy. These tours included periods of repeated active duty at the Navy Operating Base, Norfolk, Naval Station San Francisco, Naval Station Long Beach, Calif., Naval War College, Newport, R.I., and Naval Station San Diego, where he served as executive officer, Recruit Training Command, and the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C. He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in McLean. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012, at the Chapel of Henry Funeral Home, 1030 West Beverley St., Staunton, VA 24401. Burial will follow with full military honors in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Capital Hospice, P.O. Box 1576, Merrifield, VA 22116, or to a charity of choice.