It is with deep sadness and admiration for a true friend to Hampton University and the Hampton University Museum that we acknowledge the transition of  Darryl Randolph.

 

A true Hamptonian, Mr. Randolph “let his life do the singing!”  A volunteer at the Hampton University Museum, Darryl came in weekly to scan, digitize, teach, chat and share with all his days at Hampton and of course his service in Vietnam.

 

He served as a guest speaker sharing his many slides of his military service and of course without his support, the Hampton University Archives, the International Review of African American Art, and the grant funded projects that utilized digitization and scanning would not have been possible without Mr. Randolph’s support.

 

His wife, Sandra, also a Hampton alum, also served as a volunteer and worked briefly in the Museum Gift shop, so the two of them as expected were a power couple.  We are honored to have on display permanently a quilt made by Mrs. Randolph, Reflections, highlighting the buildings on Hampton’s campus. The quilt was a gift from the class of 1960.   I am even more proud and honored that Mr. Randolph donated some of his most treasured articles from his time at Hampton and his service in Vietnam.  He donated his 1955 Pershing Rifles Sweater and his Helicopter Pilot’s Flight Gear Helmet and earphones just recently as we prepared for our Refreshed galleries.

 

He will truly be missed but his legacy will continue forever in the work and the time that he shared with us at the Hampton University Museum.

 

Vanessa D. Thaxton-Ward, Director