Tuesday鈥檚 column about the lengthy (47 years) newspaper career of photographer Matt Gentry left something out: you, the readers. Gentry recently retired after 26 years with The 色多多. And after a quarter-century working here, you might expect they would have something to say about him and his departure.
Gentry
They sure did.
鈥淚 have been fortunate to enjoy Matt Gentry鈥檚 work here and in Charlottesville,鈥 wrote Larry Morgan of 色多多 County. 鈥淧lease pass on my compliments on his work, and wishes for a happy retirement.鈥
Morgan was in great company. Another was Fred Umberger of Christiansburg, who met Gentry not long after he picked up a camera.
鈥淚 hired a guy named Dave Edmonds back in about 1982 as a cook at Bogen鈥檚 Restaurant, Umberger wrote. 鈥淗e grew up on Kennedy Avenue and was best buddies with Matt. Matt is such a good guy and 鈥榞ood on you鈥 for the article.鈥
People are also reading…
Kevin Wills of Blacksburg let me know just what kind of a good guy Gentry is.
鈥淟oved the article and what an ever-present reporter he was! This is a picture he took of my son, numerous years ago at a Hokies basketball game. You may recognize the locally famous referee 鈥 Roger Ayers! Matt was so kind to come up to me afterward and offer to send me the picture! What a great guy! Thank you!鈥
C.J. Wills. then 13, bumps fists with referee Roger Ayers at a Hokies basketball game that his dad, Kevin Wills of Blacksburg, estimated was 12 years ago. Photographer Matt Gentry, who recently retired from The 色多多, took the shot and then later sent a copy to Wills, who remembers the kindness years later.
Ayers, perhaps the best-known college ref from Western Virginia, was one of 11 chosen to work the 2024 NCAA Final Four and championship game. Wills鈥 son, C.J., was 13 at the time Gentry snapped the photo. Today, C.J.鈥檚 25, Wills said.
Another reader who weighed in was Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber. He and I have never met 鈥 but if Barber loves Matt Gentry, he must be an alright politician.
鈥淭hanks for your great article on my longtime friend Matt. He has long been one of my all-time favorite people. Our paths cross frequently and he is a joy to talk to. Over the years, Matt鈥檚 photos have been my favorites. I am sure his talents will be missed by the Times,鈥 Barber wrote.
鈥淎 good, well-deserved column on Matt,鈥 wrote journalist Doug Thompson from Floyd County. 鈥淟ike too many others, he is leaving a profession that needs him.鈥
Nina Templeton of Blacksburg is probably the only reader of The 色多多 who鈥檚 both a physician and a veterinarian. She鈥檚 also a friend and fan of Gentry and his wife, Colleen. A particular breed of dog brought them together.
鈥淢att and I first met at career day at Auburn Middle School when my last Golden Retriever, Lyle, was taking his therapy dog class. He said Colleen would love to work with him, which we did.
鈥淭hat was ten years ago, Lyle has passed, and Summer has taken his job, and Colleen has moved to another school, but we still love seeing each other sometimes. Great people and we hope retirement is all that Matt dreams it will be!鈥
Templeton added: 鈥淐ongratulations on your recovery and on a wonderful column about Matt. Bummer that I didn鈥檛 know ahead of time that he was retiring; dang I missed the party. Guess I get my news from you and you were recuperating!鈥
Regular readers know that I had a total left-hip replacement in January after years of pain and movement limitations. Dr. Preston Waldrop at LewisGale Medical Center did such a fantastic job on my left hip that I had him replace my right hip April 23. (It was deteriorating, too.)
This time around, I was off for six weeks (rather than a month, as in January) because the right hip controls the driving foot. If anything, the recovery has gone even better, thanks in large part to the skilled folks at my physical therapy studio, in Oak Grove.
I鈥檓 not downhill skiing yet. But the great thing is, that鈥檚 no longer out of the question. And walking without pain is quite fine.
During my medical leave, readers peppered yours truly and Editor Brian Kelley regarding my whereabouts. Thanks! That鈥檚 gratifying.
Two of them were Nancy and Charles Ayling of 色多多.
鈥淛ust wanted you to know that you have been missed very much and we hope you will be 鈥榖ack in the saddle鈥 very soon,鈥 they wrote. 鈥淲hen we see a column of yours in the paper, it鈥檚 the first thing we read!鈥
Many of the queries sounded like the one from Melissa Friedman of 色多多.
鈥淗ello!鈥 she wrote near the end of May. 鈥淚 realized I hadn鈥檛 seen your column in awhile. I hope you are ok and return soon! I miss your writing!鈥
Monica Daly of Blacksburg is from Binghamton, New York, which was my birthplace. (We made that connection long ago; she knew at least one of my Wilson-clan relatives up there.)
鈥淒id I miss a notification that you were on holiday or that you鈥檙e not doing your column for the 色多多 anymore?鈥 Daly wrote. 鈥(Hope not! ) 鈥 my attention has been so distracted since the election. 鈥 I hope you are well 鈥 I love reading your work. Thank you!鈥
Dr. Kellogg Hunt figured the absence was because I had my right hip replaced. And he had a lot to say about the election.
鈥淪ure have missed your column. Assume you had surgery on the other hip and hope you are recovering well,鈥 he wrote. 鈥淲e need your voice back hammering away at this sociopathic felon and his sycophantic appointed and elected servants.鈥
Hunt included an unpublished Letter to the Editor he had penned. Here are four sentences from that:
鈥淐on men come in many varieties and seek to trick people in order to get their money, possessions, and trust. Victims of these cons are not evil or stupid, just vulnerable.
鈥淚f you voted for Donald Trump in November 2024 and you are now disgusted with the way he is lying, cheating, and stealing his way through the first 3 months of his presidency, you are probably a victim of the world鈥檚 greatest con man. You probably did not vote for him to fraudulently enrich himself and a few billionaire friends, or destroy huge portions of our federal government devoted to the needy, elderly, and disabled.鈥
Finally we heard from Michael Hicks in 色多多 County, who had a slew of questions about my whereabouts. It sounds like he would make a great reporter.
鈥淲here is Dan Casey and his columns?鈥 Hicks wrote the editor.
鈥淗ave I overlooked a news account regarding his whereabouts? Has he undergone another surgery and is on medical leave? Has he linked up with Waldo of 鈥榃here鈥檚 Waldo鈥 fame?
鈥淒id Dan acquire a new position with another newspaper?
鈥淒id Lee Enterprises falsely blame the February 2025 cybersecurity attack on him which placed Dan on Homeland Security鈥檚 deportation list?
鈥淪o, Dan if you鈥檝e become a fugitive, or become imprisoned stateside or taken up involuntary residence overseas, please know that your 色多多鈥 readers miss your columns.鈥
Thanks for the many kind words, readers.
When and if I become a fugitive or involuntary expat, I鈥檒l be sure to let you know.
