David Allen Fiske, superintendent of the Virginia Tech Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SVAREC) in Raphine, Virginia, died on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. He was 59.

Fiske was born on Sept. 14, 1959, in Charlottesville. An outdoors lover, he spent his youth on his family’s cattle farm and was a member of the Aldie, Virginia, community. He was a loving son, brother, and uncle. Fiske was also a dedicated agriculturalist, a community volunteer, and a caring friend to many in his community. 

“David was a wonderful superintendent and a model employee at Virginia Tech. He was passionate about advancing research and Extension programs on the livestock production systems at the Shenandoah Valley AREC," said Saied Mostaghimi, director of the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "In addition to devotion to his work at the AREC, David always found time for his colleagues and friends and interacted well with many organizations and stakeholders. He will be missed greatly, and we are all saddened by his loss, but he will never be forgotten by those who were fortunate enough to have known him.”

After graduating from Loudoun County High School in 1977, Fiske attended the University of Nebraska, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agribusiness and agricultural economics.  

Since Feb. 1, 2000, he has served as superintendent of the Virginia Tech SVAREC in the Shenandoah Valley. In this capacity, Fiske has been responsible for all aspects of the center’s operations; providing leadership to the AREC’s staff and Extension specialists and agents; overseeing all research and Extension project, such as the extensive livestock-forage systems project; and managing the center’s more than 900 acres.

“Over last two years, David had become a mentor to me and someone I hold in the highest esteem. He has helped with numerous decisions in the last year and always welcomed my questions and visits,” said Tait Golightly, superintendent of the Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center. “He has touched thousands and thousands of people’s lives. His way of teaching, without making you feel small or making himself seem bigger, was wonderful, no matter how grand his achievement was.”

Prior to holding this position, he served the commonwealth as a Loudoun County sheriff dispatcher, a Fairfax County firefighter, and a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent in Nelson and Augusta counties. In 1995, he also began working as operations manager with Rollins Ranches, one of the largest cow-calf ranches in the country. 

Fiske was dedicated not only to his family and friends but to many organizations. They included the Aldie Volunteer Fire Department (inactive), the Raphine Volunteer Fire Company, the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, and the Augusta County FFA/4-H Market Animal Show and Sale. He also served as previous president of the Augusta County Fair.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty W. Fiske. He is survived by his father, Richard H. Fiske, and by his special and dear friend, Jacqueline “Jackie” Parr and family. Fiske is also survived by three siblings, Ellen Stewart (Bob), Billy “Tiger” Fiske, and Nancy Freeman (Dan). He had six beloved nieces and nephews: Nicole Varn (Nathan), and children Daven, Grady, and Anslee; Alex Stewart; Zach Daly; Will Fiske; Morgan Stewart; and Kara Freeman. Fiske is also survived by step-niece Amanda Dellerba (Chris) and daughter Camden and step-nephew Mark Freeman.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at 11 a.m. at the Old Providence Presbyterian Church, 1005 Spottswood Road, Steeles Tavern, Virginia, followed by reception and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Raphine Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 142, Raphine, Virginia 24472.

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