WEEMS—Benjamin Henry Bascum “B.H.” Hubbard III passed away peacefully on a Sunday, the 13th day of May in 2018, at home holding hands with his loving family while listening to his favorite gospel songs. His mother, Mary Hubbard, did cartwheels in heaven as she welcomed him on Mother’s Day morning. B.H. wanted us to let you know that, “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated – I Live…”
B.H. was born on a Saturday afternoon, January 19, 1946, to Lloyd Benjamin Hubbard Sr. and Mary Drew Hubbard of White Stone. He attended Christchurch School and graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s in English where he was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. Upon graduation from UVA, he taught English in both Chesterfield and Lancaster counties. He then went on to get his J.D. from the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the editorial board of the Law Review and did graduate work in tax law at New York University. B.H. then clerked for the Honorable William H. Quealy of the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C. He also worked with the firm of Agelasto and Agelasto in Norfolk before returning to Lancaster in 1979.
B.H.’s passion for law was evident throughout his work and dedication to his clients as a founding member of the law firm Hubbard, Terry and Britt in Irvington. He handled estate and business planning as well as real estate law. He was a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Northern Neck Bar Association. He was a past member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association and the Virginia Bar Association. He served as a member of the Court Procedure Committee, Taxation Section and the Committee on Tax Accounting Problems for the American Bar Association. He also served as president of the Northern Neck Bar Association and was a Commissioner in Chancery for Lancaster County.
B.H. received happiness in serving his community in every way he could fit into his days here on Earth. We challenge you to find a board on which he did not serve. He was a past president for Lancaster County Chapter of the American Heart Association, past president of Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library, a past member of Indian Creek Yacht and Country Club, Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Foundation, the Lancaster County Lions Club, the County Chamber of Commerce and Virginia Quality Life, Inc, the Conley Foundation and the White Stone and Kilmarnock Volunteer Fire Departments.
He was chairman of the board of Rappahannock General Hospital and a member of the board of directors of Chesapeake Health Services. He was a founding member of the Wiley Foundation and the Tangier Island Health Foundation. B.H. was a past chairman of the Lancaster County Republican Committee. He was also a vice chairman of the board of directors of Northern Neck Insurance Company and proudly served on the board of directors of Bon Secours Richmond Health System until the time of his death. He received highest kudos from his peers (as well as his first gray hairs) for the successful leadership, planning, negotiations and insight that led to the merger of Rappahannock General Hospital with Bon Secours. His compassion for the community and professional talents were fundamental in the lengthy merger process.
B.H. was a native of White Stone with deep roots in the Northern Neck. His family first settled in Lancaster County in 1671. Since then, the Hubbard generations have been renown civil servants, being fundamental in maintaining the growth, yet preservation of Lancaster County and our cherished land around the Rappahannock River. He was also a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
When B.H. was not serving his clients and community, he spent time with his better half of 50+ years, Terry, who he met at 15 years old, laughing and loving big. He treasured walks with friends and being dragged by his dogs around the Village of Weems. He enjoyed shaking a tail feather on a dance floor and giving heartfelt toasts at any gathering. He loved a microphone, a guitar and impromptu sing-a-longs. He had an extraordinary appreciation for music, old movies, literature and poetry. His compassion for animals was evident as he took in stray dogs and let them sleep in his bed. B.H. was known by all for his honesty, caring and true friendships. He was a brilliant listener, remembered everyone’s name and always went out of his way to help others and be of service.
His spirit on Earth will continue to live through in his beautiful and patient wife, Terry; his daughter, Emory Johnson and her husband, Bradley, and their children, Stella and Henry of San Anselmo, Calif; his daughter, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Sternberg and her husband, Jay, and their children, James and Beau of Larkspur, Calif.; and his beloved son, Benjamin Henry Bascum (Beau) Hubbard IV and his wife, Martha of Virginia Beach, and their son to be born fall of 2018, who will carry on his name. He is also survived by his loving brother Lloyd B. Hubbard Jr. and his wife, Laura, of White Stone. B.H. was also blessed with many nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins.
B.H. had a strong faith in God as a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church and enjoyed many Sundays at Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Weems. He lived his life counting his blessings and blessed he was. He taught us all: “Do not cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”
B.H. never missed a funeral, so his spirit will be with us on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock.
In addition to flowers (because Terry loves flowers), please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Rappahannock General Hospital Oncology Center, P. O. Box 1449, Kilmarnock, VA 22482, who provide amazing care and support for our family as well as the community.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
