Update: A celebration of the life and legacy of Edward J. McPherson, who died on July 4, 2011, has been scheduled for Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. 

The gathering will be held at the Virginia Tech Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown's Multipurpose Room on the university's Blacksburg campus.

Guests are invited to bring letters, poems, and pictures of McPherson and his family to honor his memory.

In memoriam: Edward McPherson, learning technologies

BLACKSBURG, Va., July 20, 2011 -- Although we are deeply saddened to announce Edward J. McPherson died on Monday, July 4, 2011 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, we have much to celebrate from the memories of his life. 

He is survived by his wife, Beverly McPherson, and three daughters Jadele, Jalissa and Jaline McPherson. 

Born October 4, 1953, in Mississippi and raised on Chicago's Westside, McPherson was the first in his family to attend college after graduating from Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass. He then went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976.

After pursuing a career in finance and banking at Swiss Bank in New York City, he moved his family to Roanoke to pursue his passions for youth, technology, and education and had been a member of the Virginia Tech community over the past decade. To send condolences or for further information regarding memorial services please email: ejrestsinpeace@gmail.com.

Editor's note: This article was provided by the McPherson family. As a member of the Learning Technologies staff, McPherson was instrumental in Virginia Tech's Summer Training Academy for Rising Students (VT STARS) program. He also was a Multicultural Fellow.

Those in the university community who may wish assistance or desire counseling support may contact:

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