The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) is mourning the loss of David Edgecombe, former executive director of the Reichhold Center for the Arts and retired associate professor of communications who passed away on Nov. 19. During his 30-year career at UVI, Edgecombe inspired countless students in and out of the classroom; celebrated local talent at UVI’s Little Theater and on the Reichhold stage; attracted world-class performers to the Virgin Islands; and entertained audiences around the Caribbean with his original plays.
“Our community is filled with sadness from the loss of Professor Edgecombe, a true artist, passionate teacher, supportive colleague and wonderful human being,” said UVI President Dr. David Hall. “I can’t remember David not smiling. He had a joy in his heart that shined through with every encounter. I miss already that smile and his unreplaceable energy and passion. It is rare to meet and work with someone who never stopped believing in how life and the arts could be better. His work at UVI enriched this University in immeasurable ways. On behalf of the entire University, I express our collective and sincere sympathy to Professor Edgecombe’s family, and to the entire Virgin Islands community. There is now a gaping hole in the cultural ecosystems of the Virgin Islands. May we fill it with our memories, tears and hard work that keeps his legacy alive.”
One of the people who is keeping his legacy alive is the Reichhold Center’s current director, Denise Humphrey. Edgecombe was a professor when Humphrey was a UVI student and later recruited her to be a stage manager at Reichhold. “David was always somebody who wanted to get young people involved in the arts. He had the knack of bringing out the best of people and recognizing their talents,” she said. “When he saw potential in someone, he pushed them to move forward and to be creative.”
More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI Website-www.uvi.edu/ - and from this direct link