John Shelburne Shelburne

So sorry to see this---Milton and I were classmates at Sherwood-Bates Elementary---as our last names both began with the letter "S",  our desks were often close---I still clearly remember Milton's really excellent drawings ---his talents as an artist were clear, even back then. Not surprised to read about his very successful career. 

Posted on: Aug 27, 2025 at 4:33 AM

Happy Birthday! Have a great one!

Rosemary’s brother Ted Hoffmann and his wife Mary are putting together a collection of photographs of Rosemary that they will display at the memorial ceremony on March 7. If you have any photographs of Rosemary that you are willing to loan to Ted, you can send them to him at his home in Durham at 1212 Sherron Road, Durham NC 27703. You can call Ted at 919-418-5218 and you can call me at 919-475-2663. Thanks.

Rosemary and I were high school sweethearts and this continued into college. During our senior year of high school, we often hung out together with Charlie Styron and Megan Stuart, including picnics at Umstead Park. Unfortunately, late in our college days we slowly parted ways. I still do not understand how or why that happened. Rosemary was a gifted musician and a gifted linguist. Her father was the head of band education for the state of North Carolina, her mother was an organist and an author of several books, and so it is not surprising that Rosemary was an excellent flute player and an excellent linguist. She majored in German, studied in Heidelberg, Germany, and became a German professor at the University of Maryland. It is very impressive that she learned a foreign language as an adult so well that she became a professor at a major university in that language. She married a German astronomer who named one of the asteroids “Rosemary”---talk about an enduring legacy. During her life, she traveled extensively, not only in Europe, but also to places as far away as India (where she rode elephants) and Vladivostok, Russia. She especially loved the Greek islands.  One of her favorite hymns was “O Tannenbaum”, sung in German. I am so sad that we have lost one of my best friends, ever.

I just learned that there will be a ceremony on Friday, March 7 at 2pm in the Assembly Hall at Carol Woods Retirement Community in Chapel Hill, NC. 

Oh no, oh no, oh no---I am just profoundly sad--John Shelburne  919-475-2663

So sorry to hear about Betty Ruth's passing---she was a friend from elementary school on to graduation, and beyond. I especially remember a sixth grade project we did. A few years ago she gave me some very good advice about some farmland I owned in Granville County---she knew Granville County well. 

Always positive and helpful---she will be greatly missed.  --- John Shelburne

Posted on: Aug 27, 2024 at 4:33 AM

So sorry to hear about LaMarr---he and I were in the same Boy Scout troop--the highlight of those years was the trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in NM--backpacking in the mountains, so high up that there was snow sometimes, even though this was July---LaMarr's father took off from his job to organize and lead our expedition, including hiking with us---he too was a wonderful man---like father, like son. --John Shelburne

Posted on: Aug 27, 2023 at 4:33 AM

Happy Birthday! As usual, I am right behind you! --John Shelburne

So sad to learn about Hughes' passing--he was a classmate and friend for many years. 

I wasn't smart enough to be in Mr. Blakeway's calculus class---instead I spent lunch times at the school store, adding and subtracting. But I did compete with Hughes once---it was in the third grade---the two of us were asked to write the multiplication tables on the blackboard, correctly of course, and as fast as possible. I have no idea who won--probably Hughes--but I still clearly remember the pressure. 

We were all fortunate to have known him. 

---John Shelburne

Posted on: Aug 27, 2022 at 4:33 AM

Posted on: Aug 27, 2021 at 4:33 AM

Happy Birthday Rosemary!!

Posted on: Aug 29, 2020 at 10:16 AM

Happy Birthday Rosemary! Look forward to the day when this pandemic is over, and we can have reunions again!

Posted on: Aug 27, 2020 at 4:33 AM