Dr. Virginia Hash Dr. Virginia R. Hash, 89, of Middleburg, FL passed away on October 30, 2016. She was born in rural Ames, Iowa, the daughter of Lars Peter and Elizabeth Larson on September 23, 1927. She graduated from Ames High School and went on to Iowa State University where she received her teaching degree in Home Economics. She taught at several rural high schools in Iowa and married William Eugene Hash in December 1953. In 1975 she completed her PhD at Iowa State University and began teaching at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Dr. Hash is preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, 2 sisters, her husband, William Eugene Hash and son, Jay B. Hash. Dr. Hash is survived by her daughter, Dr. Jean Otte of Middleburg, FL; 2 grandsons, Eric Otte of Port Orange, FL and Evan Otte of Orange Park, FL and one very special great-grandson, Ivan William Otte. While at University of Northern Iowa she attained Emeritus status in 1999 for Educational Psychology and Foundation. During her time at UNI she spent 6 weeks every year teaching in St. Petersburg, Russia. She was a lifetime Lutheran, a member of Crossroad Lutheran Church and was active in many of the women’s ministries. Dr. Hash lived in Iowa most of her life but moved to Florida and became involved in many community events here in the North Florida area. Her affiliations and interests in history were evident in her involvement in three different local historical societies serving as past board member of Orange Park Historical Society and Social Chair as well as Secretary of Clay County Historical Society. Every year during the Clay County Fair you would find her volunteering at the Clay County Fairgrounds, where she established and decorated the Old School House. She volunteered many hours at Doctors Inlet Elementary School as well as other schools throughout Clay County. At Doctors Inlet she held summer science camps, and sponsored the Green Thumb Club. She assisted teachers and maintained the science lab at Doctors Inlet Elementary. She worked with the Clay County Literacy Coalition and served as President for 4 years. She tutored immigrants in English and taught “Becoming a Citizen” classes. She coordinated the Clay County Literacy essay contest. She was a member of the Orange Park Women’s Club and volunteered for many events there. Dr. Hash was a lifetime member of Sigma Kappa at Iowa State University, initiated in 1948, and member of JAPA (Jacksonville Alumni Panhellenic Association). She was an active member of the PEO sisterhood, a women’s international philanthropic organization promoting educational opportunities. She loved working on the International Peace Scholarship, one of PEO’s service projects. In 2011 she was awarded the Hellenic Jewel Award for most exemplifying the true meaning of Greek Sisterhood and her sustained service to JAPA. Dr. Hash has received various awards for her service to the community. She was awarded Florida Senate Spirit of Service Award attended by Jeffrey Atwater Senate President and presented by Senator Steve Wise especially for her work with the Literacy Coalition. In 2012 she was the recipient of the Golden Years Gala in the education category. She was awarded Senior Volunteer of the Year for Clay County School District in 2004.
