by S. Rotan Hale
A series of birthday celebrations over a four day period honored the exemplary life of Richard L. Chubb, a man who means many things to so many people not just around the Roanoke area but across the country as well.
Now a 90 years young Coach Chubb, as he is known by colleagues and former students of all ages, lives a life of reflection as he continues to inspire those he encounters.
A group of friends, family, associates and admirers gathered Thursday, May 28 at the Harrison Museum in Melrose Plaza for one of several events honoring this quintessential teacher, advisor, mentor, historian and a true old-school gentleman many consider as an all-round great guy.
The one-on-one chat was organized and conducted by local historian Jordan Bell who has known Chubb for approximately ten years and swears by his wise counsel.
“Contrary to popular belief, I’ve only known Mr. Chubb for about ten years,” said Bell “We have grown a relationship where we call each other grand-paw and grandson.”
Most appropriately lifting the honoree in his opening remarks Bell said, “Mr. Chubb’s life represents dedication, leadership, service and love for community.” He went on to explain Chubb as a “witness to history, a keeper of stories and a person whose wisdom and experiences have helped to shape those around him.”
Prior to the one-on-one with Bell much of the event involved testimonials to the honoree from certain chosen speakers after which Chubb engaged the crowd in what he does best, telling generations of stories.
The first speaker, Janie Ollie was one of Chubb’s students in the late 60s when he taught at what was once Monroe Junior High School in northwest.
Ollie told of how Chubb, stepping outside of his role as a teacher, got her a job at 14 years old working in the home of the Medley’s, an upstanding family in the community.
Visibly moved, Ollie said “My mamma died when I was nine and you Mr. Chubb helped me. You were the one whotook care of us and talked to us and I just thank God for your life, your wife and your daughter. You know May the 28th I’m always gonna show up at your house with a birthday cake,” she said as one who is known by many in the community as a serious cake baker.
Minister David Dickey was another student who met Chubb at Monroe when Dickey was in the seventh grade.
“Mr. Chubb was my English teacher, my coach and my guidance counselor. As a man of few words all he had to do was look at me and say, “‘Dickey, I’m watching you.”’
Roanoke’s urban renewal of the 60s and 70s was and is still a controversial topic. One of the main journalists who chronicled the troubling era that defined the gentrification of Black neighborhoods was Mary Bishop, who then was a prize-winning freelance journalist and investigative reporter for The Roanoke Times.
Through many conversations with Chubb and others, Bishop’s incredible story of the decimation of Roanoke’s historic Gainsboro area produced a 12-page special section that was published in the Times in 1995.
“I was new to Roanoke and through my investigation talking with Mr. Chubb I learned so much about the history of more than 40 years of change, hardship and survival in this area,” Bishop said. She went on to explain the connection with her, Chubb and Mindy Fullilove who came to Roanoke and spoke at the annual City Works conference. Fullilove is a renowned social psychiatrist and the author of several books including Root Shock which explores the devastating and long-term effects of gentrification across cities nationwide.
Various classic images of Chubb through the years from childhood flashed on a large screen throughout the program. Certain pictures showed him with other kids in antiquated school rooms and various other settings.
Among the kids featured in the vintage photographs along with young Chubb was childhood friend Reggie Davis, another classic gentleman well-known in the community who was on-hand for the celebration.
“I know you believe friendship is essential to the soul and I’m proud to say to you Mr. Chubb that you and I have been friends for 80 years and we’ve never had an argument,” Davis pointed out and said the photo (displayed on screen) was 72 years old.
Closing out the comments from friends and associates was Dr. Nathaniel Bishop, a cousin and a prominent retired Carilion Healthcare official, educator and minister who said at six years old he met the honoree on First St. (Henry Street) in downtown.
“Seeing Richard, my father began telling us of this well-dressed cousin of ours who he was extremely proud of,” Bishop explained. “My father died when I was fifteen and it was then that Mr. Chubb became a father-like figure to me and sort of a big brother as well. So he provided this wonderful combination of qualities as I was growing up – watching what he was doing made me aspire to be like him.”
Chubb sat comfortably throughout the event in a three-piece suit listening to all the stories from others that proved to be testimonials to his greatness.
“The story of our community is touching, and about everything we as a people had because I saw so many places of hope. When I grew up in Roanoke there were about 200 Black businesses or more. And then I had role models because some of the same teachers who taught me in school, taught me in Sunday School,” he explained.
Speaking of Frances, his wife of 64 years, Chubb said, “we started dating in 1957, but we were in the first grade together and were in the same sunday school at St. Paul United Methodist Church. He and Frances have one daughter Andrea who has stood faithfully by them over the years.
Chubb mentioned some of his many achievements like being in the first local Boy Scout Troop for African Americans in 1948. He was appointed principal of the old Harrison School that closed in the 60s. “I told them if you close the school, you close the community,” he said.
He talked about being the first to own a car in his immediate family and told a story of him and Reggie Davis behind the Ponce de Leon Hotel downtown “doing something we had no business doing.”
Chubb reflected on the Dumas Hotel, the vibrance of Henry Street and how he saw stars there like Count Basie and Little Richard – experiences that fueled the hope that was the theme of his talk. As the storyteller he truly is and has always been, he conducted his remarks calmly but emphatically speaking of the hope that has guided him for 90 years.
The days of celebration culminated with a dual affair Saturday, May 30 – a dinner dance at the Salem Civic Center complete with The Kings, an 8-piece band that combined the Chubb Family Reunion with the 90th birthday of the one and only Richard L. Chubb who outdanced everyone in attendance.
