Henry Sink

Steve Henry Sink, 54, died May 13, 2007 of accidental causes.

From his childhood days on the family farm, Henry developed a love of farming and the rhythms of the seasons that led him, after receiving a degree from Virginia Tech, into a career in agriculture where he, with his wife Susan, eventually established Sinkland Farms in Riner, Va. Always the entrepreneur, Henry transitioned the original dairy farm into a beef farm and an agribusiness that featured many agricultural venues, including the popular Sinkland Farms Pumpkin Festival each fall which allowed residents of the region to experience some of the delight Henry had always found in the farming life. He also branched out into pick-your-own strawberries and sweet corn as well as an ice cream store and corn maze. Henry wanted to ensure that the pleasures of the farming life were passed on to future generations and did so by inviting elementary school classes from all over Southwest Virginia for field trips and also by working with Virginia Tech and Radford Universities conducting various agriculture-related research. The only thing that Henry loved more than his land was his family. Friday nights in the fall would always find Henry on the sidelines of Auburn High School football games where he filled the role of “water man.” In addition, he sold concessions at basketball games and was a substitute teacher at the middle and high schools. During his life, he was involved with 4-H, Direct Marketing, and was an active member of Auburn United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Susan of Riner; daughters Lisa Sink of Roanoke and Leslie Sink of Riner; son Curtis Sink of Radford; parents Curtis and Elene Sink of Rocky Mount; brothers Glen Sink and wife Diane of Richmond; Don Sink and wife Peggy of Rocky Mount; sister Jean Chitwood and husband Mike of Chapel Hill, NC; father and mother-in-law Jim and Edith Sink; sister-in-law Leigh Anne Sink; brother-in-law Jim Sink and his wife, Melanie; nephews and nieces Dennis, Dina, Glenda, Scott, Julie, Jacob, Lydia, and Kemper; and childhood farm partners uncle and aunt Denton “Pat” (deceased) and Marlyn Sink and cousins Teresa, Terry, Jane, Ben and Joanna.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2007 from 1-3 and 5-8 p.m. at Horne Funeral Service. A gathering to celebrate his life will be 3 p.m. Friday, May 18, 2007 at The Horne Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Kathy Hale officiating. A reception will follow at Sinkland Farms Ice Cream Parlor.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Auburn United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 74, Riner, VA 24149 or to a memorial to be established in Henry’s name at Auburn High School, c/o, Sink Memorial Fund, 3020 Riner Road, Christiansburg, VA 24073.