D. Blake Huff

HUFF, Dennis Blake, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at the age of 58, surrounded by his family and friends. Blake was a loving father, brother, uncle, friend, teacher and mentor to those who knew him.

Blake was born in Lynchburg, Va. to the late Myrtle Overstreet Patterson Huff and Alfred E. "Josh" Huff. He lived his early childhood in Gladstone, Va., and then moved with his family to Richmond. He attended Freeman High School and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts, where he went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture.

Blake is survived by his devoted son, Josh. Blake is lovingly remembered by his brothers and sisters, Larry Patterson, Bill Patterson, Bruce Patterson, Diane Tucker, Sharon Schultz, Donna Faucett, and the late Sandra Ragland, Butch Huff, and Kerry Huff; also many family members, friends, co-workers and students. His family is tremendously fortunate and grateful to those who caringly attended to Blake throughout his illness.

Blake became a Virginia State Employee in 1978 and served for more than 32 years. He began his career at the Va Dept for Rehabilitative Services and went on to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, Dept of Sculpture in 1985. At VCU, he worked his way from Technical Supervisor to Assistant Professor of Sculpture when he retired in 2009. For his indispensable experience with the School of the Arts, he was brought back in 2012 to serve as Director of Facilities Operations for the Dean’s Office until illness prevented his work. VCU wrote of him, “VCU Sculpture lost an icon today. A fearless teacher of the sharpest intellect, creative brilliance, mechanical mastery, and tremendous knowledge, Blake Huff was a teacher in the most powerful and complex sense of the word. His generosity and dedication to generations of students was profound, and his impact enormous. He is sorely missed and always admired.”

As an energetic and industrious person throughout his life, Blake worked many jobs including foreman and set carpenter for dozens of major film and TV productions. He selflessly supported countless others throughout his life in their professional and personal lives with his time and talents. To those who knew him and by reputation, he was the master of accomplishing most anything.

The family welcomes sharing of memories at a service of remembrance to be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Blake Huff Award, given annually in his memory to an undergraduate VCU Sculpture student who demonstrates the selflessness and generosity in the studios that Blake so valued. Contact Julia Carr at: [email protected] 804-828-4676.