R. Philip Irwin Jr.

R.Philip Irwin Jr. passed away suddenly at his beloved home, Caledonia Farm, on November 30, 2020, after a full life of service to his country and his community.

He was born on April 29, 1934, in Ossining, New York, and grew up in the riverside town of Croton-on-Hudson. The descendant of three generations of New York Central Railroad men, his family sidetracked his love of railroads by sending him to Syracuse University, where he studied broadcast production. His career in radio began at WOLF in Syracuse, followed by Army service with Armed Forces Radio in Germany and a year with pirate Radio Mercur in Denmark. He then worked for Voice of America, the largest U. S. international broadcaster, for 24 years, rising to become Chief of Morning Broadcasts in English. He pioneered country music programming at VOA, and his Breakfast Show with co-star Pat Gates had an international audience of 20 million people. After retiring from VOA in 1985, he opened Caledonia Farm – 1812 Bed and Breakfast, which brought interesting guests to his home for 35 years. Most of his work on trains was at 1:87 (HO) scale, and he loved giving tours of his elaborate model railroad in his basement.

Shortly after starting at Voice of America in 1960, he discovered Rappahannock County, where he spent the rest of his life. He rightly believed that Rappahannock is a special place that is worth preserving. He founded the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection in 1970 and co-founded the Piedmont Environmental Council in 1972. In 1973, he granted Rappahannock’s first conservation easement. The conservation movement remained a driving purpose throughout his life, with many successes due in large part to his dedication. He brought his skills as an organizer to numerous other community, bed and breakfast, and model railroading organizations. He particularly enjoyed the many friendships that he made through these efforts.

He was an excellent father, reliably patient and supportive. He conveyed much of his wide range of knowledge and skills, but his main lessons were the value of hard work and independence. Caledonia offers plenty of both, and his family will take good care of it for future generations.

He is survived by his son, Rossman Philip Irwin III, Ph.D.; daughter-in-law, Lisa M. Van Pay, Ph.D.; granddaughter, Grayson Irene Irwin, and grandson, Rossman Philip Irwin IV. He was predeceased by his parents, Rossman Philip Irwin Sr. and Millie Irene (Smith) Irwin; sister, Ruth Eleanor (Irwin) Robinson; and brother-inlaw, Theodore Gardner Robinson Jr.

In a 1983 letter for the time capsule by the Washington Town Hall, he summarized his purpose: “You see, we’re thinking of you, 100 years from now. We’re thankful to those who left us a relatively unspoiled landscape. We hope that you in 2083 can be thankful that we have left you a landscape no less worthwhile.” He asked to have no formal funeral ceremony. His family would welcome memorial contributions to the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection or Piedmont Environmental Council.