Pamela Kurstedt

Pamela Sue Kurstedt, 60, of Riner, Virginia, passed away, Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at her home with her family by her side. Pam lived her life serving others with a caring and gentle heart, a passion for living to the fullest, and a kind, graceful, and faithful spirit.

As a little girl, Pam discovered the plight of starving children in Africa. She soon found resources and means to help them, thus initiating a life filled with purpose. Always striving to help those around her dream big and live up to unseen potential, Pam had an incredibly positive influence on individuals, small groups, and large corporations alike as she dedicated her abundant talents and exuberant energy to helping anyone in need, offering her time, wisdom, effort, home, and finances whenever and however possible.

Work-related lifetime achievements were plentiful for Pam; she expected as much of herself as she did everyone around her. A mechanical engineering graduate, Pam went on to spend almost 25 years in higher education administration at Virginia Tech. During her illustrious tenure there, Pam used her unique ability to inspire others to be as generous as she was, bringing professionals to the classroom so her students could catch a glimpse of real life engineering applications and creating first-time programs that would serve as hallmarks for later teaching innovations. Considered a pioneer among women in the engineering field, Pam’s career at Virginia Tech culminated in her attainment of the position of Assistant Dean for Enrichment and International Programs. As the first female Assistant Dean at the College, she held the position for almost twenty years, while simultaneously serving as the Director of the College of Engineering’s Northern Virginia Center for the last eight years.

Pam was everyone’s rock. Fully committed to her family, her church, and her work, Pam created and maintained stability in an ever-changing world. She was as dependable as she was trustworthy, and she didn’t shy away from holding herself or anyone else to task. Pam encouraged others even as she said and did things sometimes difficult to hear and accept, because she knew what was right and she respected each person enough always to be honest, relevant, and direct.

As a believer, Pam knows she is in heaven, which provides comfort to her loving and devoted husband, Harold, along with their six children, seven grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. One of eight children herself, Pam always highly valued family, as evidenced by her eagerness and time spent in leading courses in church on marriage, communication, and relationships.

Pam’s benevolent nature resulted in her generous support of local businesses, artists, and crafts people. Her gifts, time, and energy empowered those with whom she worked, and students she taught, to excel not only in their work and studies, but in life. Pam changed thousands of lives in very profound, yet elemental ways. Many people Pam interacted with over her lifetime have written of her wonderful influence, expressing gratitude for having had the privilege of Pam in their lives. It has indeed been an honor and an immense joy to know and love Pam as we do.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Auburn United Methodist Church, Riner, Virginia. The funeral service will be held at 12 pm noon at Auburn United Methodist Church with Rev. Katye Fox officiating, with a catered reception following. Private family interment services will be held in the Clover Hollow Cemetery in Newport, Virginia.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at 2:00 pm at The Falls Church, 115 East Fairfax Street, Falls Church, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, Pam expressed her heartfelt wish for gifts to be directed to Samaritan’s Purse International Relief. www.samaritanspurse.org . “Look for gift catalog options to make a gift in Pam’s memory” (1-800-528-1980).