Bame, Edgar Allen
Edgar Allen Bame died on June 22, at the age of 89, surrounded by his children and in the caring hands of the nurses at Showalter Center, Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Allen was born on September 23, 1936 in Winchester, Virginia. He was the first child of Fred and Marie Bame, and the big brother to his two sisters, Anita (d. 2016) and Jan. Allen learned the art of woodworking and handcrafts from his father, and passed his love of art and crafting to his children and grandchildren.
Allen married Judy Hess Bame (d. 2008) in 1960; they were married for 48 years. Allen and Judy have four children – Michael Bame, Shelley Bame-Aldred, Daniel Bame, and Karla Bame Collins. They have seven grandchildren – Keegan Divant, Carter Bame-Aldred, Christopher Bame, Kelly Bame, Eli Collins, Brendan Collins, and Jared Collins.
Allen loved to see his grandchildren grow and start their adult lives and families, and he held a special place in his heart for his first great-grandchild, Ki Divant.
Allen’s second marriage was to Jeananne Dixon Bame (d. 2025) in 2012. He was happy to enlarge his family with Jeananne’s children and grandchildren.
Allen grew up in Winchester, Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. After serving as an Industrial Arts teacher in Front Royal and Winchester, Allen continued his education, earning a master’s degree from Kent State and a PhD from North Carolina State.
In 1974, Allen and Judy returned to Blacksburg where Allen taught in the Industrial Arts/Technology Education program Virginia Tech from 1974-2002. In this position, Allen shared his knowledge, skills, and wisdom about vocational education to many preservice and practicing teachers throughout Virginia. He worked closely with colleagues at and beyond Virginia Tech, having a lasting impact on technology education on an international level. He was awarded Associate Professor Emeritus of Education in 2002, based on his dedication to his students and the profession, “He was an outstanding advisor to hundreds of undergraduate and graduate technology education majors for nearly three decades and gave unselfishly of his time throughout these years in providing dedicated service at the program, department, and university levels at Virginia Tech.”
A lifelong educator, Allen never passed up an opportunity to teach – in the classroom with his students, on the hiking trail with Boy Scouts, or in the kitchen with countless friends and family.
Allen had a wide-reaching impact on the Blacksburg community through his dedicated service. He and Judy attended Blacksburg Presbyterian Church as students at VPI, then the family became members of BPC in 1974 where Allen served in many capacities including Men of the Church breakfasts (biscuit maker) and Boy Scout Troop 44 (Assistant Scoutmaster). He especially loved listening to music played on the pipe organ.
Allen also impacted the community through his work with Master Gardeners and volunteering at the Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech. He was instrumental in many activities of the Mt. Tabor Ruritan Club, especially with the summer fish fries, the fall apple butter making and sales, and the Imagination Library initiative.
Allen’s “always leave them with something to smile about” attitude was felt by so many, and his family love and appreciate the stories of how Allen positively impacted the lives of others. His family is grateful for the love and support of the care team at Showalter Center, where he lived since April 2025.
A memorial service will be held at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, July 1 at 2:00 pm.
For those who wish to contribute in Allen’s memory, donations can be made to Blacksburg Presbyterian Church or Mt. Tabor Ruritan Club.
