WHEREAS, John G. Zehmer, Jr., who played a major role in the restoration of the exterior of the Governor's Mansion and made many significant contributions to historic preservation in the Commonwealth and who was a man of faith and a devoted husband and father, died on February 7, 2016; and

WHEREAS, John G. "Jack" Zehmer grew up in McKenney and attended the University of Virginia where he earned a bachelor's and master's degree; he then served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia; and

WHEREAS, Jack Zehmer embarked on a career in historic preservation in 1970 when he was named director of Historic Sites and Museums for the state of North Carolina; he returned to the Commonwealth in 1974 and worked for the City of Richmond as its first senior planner for historic preservation; and

WHEREAS, in 1981, Jack Zehmer was named director of the Valentine Museum, and research he conducted there led to the restoration of the interior of the historic Wickham-Valentine House, home of the museum; and

WHEREAS, Jack Zehmer also made many contributions to preserving Richmond's historic sites and buildings as executive director of the Historic Richmond Foundation from 1984 to 1998; he helped expand the foundation's real estate projects and advocacy programs and oversaw the establishment of the foundation's publications program; and

WHEREAS, Jack Zehmer also was chair of the Citizens Advisory Council on Interpreting and Furnishing the Executive Mansion, which oversaw the restoration of the exterior of the historic building on Capitol Square; and

WHEREAS, from 1999 until he retired in 2004, Jack Zehmer was director of the Capital Region Office of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, promoting historic preservation efforts in 30 counties in the Commonwealth; after retiring, he continued to publish books on architectural preservation; and

WHEREAS, Jack Zehmer contributed his time and talents as a member of many organizations working to preserve the Commonwealth's historic past, including the Virginia Art and Architectural Review Board, the board of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the Preservation Alliance of Virginia, and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities; and

WHEREAS, several notable historic structures in Richmond were preserved due to Jack Zehmer's efforts, including Monumental Church and the National Theatre; he also was involved in the restoration of Linden Row and the Bolling Haxall House and he helped establish two historic districts in the city; and

WHEREAS, Jack Zehmer also served on the advisory boards of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Mount Vernon; he loved to garden and was an honorary member of the Garden Club of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a man of faith, Jack Zehmer was a lifelong member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in McKenney and had served as senior warden; and

WHEREAS, Jack Zehmer, who was predeceased by his first wife, David Kathryn, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his wife, Frances; sons John III and James, and their families; and many other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of John G. Zehmer, Jr., who made many valued contributions to historic preservation efforts in the Commonwealth and who was a man of faith and a devoted husband and father; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John G. Zehmer, Jr., as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.