Fred F. Wampler
Dr. Fred F. Wampler, age 100, retired Professor of Education at Bridgewater College, died on June 2, 2025 in Serenity House of the Bridgewater Nursing Home. Dr. Wampler was born in Pingding, Shanxi, China on November 23, 1924, and was the son of Dr. Fred J. Wampler, a crusading physician/surgeon from Rockingham County, VA, and Rebecca Catherine (Skeggs) Wampler from Roanoke, VA.
Dr. Wampler graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, VA, in 1942, and enrolled in the University of Virginia, leaving there for the U.S. Army in late 1943. Graduating from Bridgewater College (VA) in 1947, he worked for 10 years as a teacher and administrator in Arlington (VA) and Prince George's (MD) public schools. He received an MEd degree from George Washington University, and started work on his EdD from the University of Maryland, which he received in 1959. From 1957 until 1988 he was a Professor of Education at Bridgewater College, serving as Head of the Education Department for most of those years. During some of his tenure, he also served as a member of the Virginia Advisory Committee on Teacher Education, in the Virginia Department of Education.
While living in Bridgewater, Dr. Wampler was a member of the Bridgewater Rotary Club, and later the Bridgewater Ruritan Club. He was a founding member, and served as Secretary, of the Shenandoah Chapter of the International Phi Delta Kappa educators society. He was a long-time active member of the Church of the Brethren in various locations, and served a term as Chair of the Board of Administration of the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. A devoted reader, he had also served as a trustee of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Public Library, before it became the Massanutten Regional Library.
On June 20, 1947, he was married to the former Dorris Marie Berry from Leaksville (now Eden), NC, and they were married almost 70 years before her death on June 19, 2017. Surviving are two sons, Frederick (Rick) Wampler and wife Joyce (Grove) Wampler of Bridgewater, and Dr. Stephen B. Wampler and wife Lorraine Callahan of Tucson, AZ. Also surviving are grandchildren Jennifer Lam (husband Mitch, daughter Lillie, son Isaac) of Elkton (VA); Emily Wampler (husband Brian Vanden Bosch) of Dunedin, New Zealand; Kevin Wampler (wife Lillie Kittredge, son Emmett, daughter Maya) of Seattle, WA; and David Wampler, also of Seattle.
Per his wishes, the body will be cremated and the ashes placed with his wife's at the Greenmount Cemetery and in the Memorial Garden of the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. No formal services are scheduled at this time, and arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremation Service in Bridgewater. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Bridgewater College and sent to Bridgewater College, 402 E. College St - Box 33, Bridgewater, VA 22812. Online condolences may be sent to the family at johnsonfs.com .
The family wishes to send sincere thanks to both the staff in Assisted Living, and everyone at Serenity House, at the Bridgewater Retirement Community for their thoughtful and loving care of Fred during his time there. Their comfort and consideration helped him find peace in his final days, and their efforts are much appreciated.
