In memoriam: Samuel Wallace Cundiff (B.S. ’53)
School of Pharmacy alumnus Samuel Wallace Cundiff, 81, died Aug. 3, 2009, in Vinton, Va.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Mae Vawter Cundiff; children Debbie Cundiff Davis, William “Bill” Cundiff and wife Becky, Samuel W. “Sam” Cundiff Jr. and wife Terri, and Marianne Nester and husband Mike; and seven grandchildren.
“Wallace Cundiff was a real good fellow student at MCV,” recalls Raymond McFarlane (B.S. ’54) of Roanoke.
Following his graduation from the MCV School of Pharmacy, Cundiff served in the U.S. Army Medical Field Service Corps for two years. He also served in the National Guard 29th Division from 1946 to 1956.
He was a partner in White Front Pharmacy until he opened Cundiff Drug Store in Vinton in December 1959, where he remained active until late last year.
“Even though he says he retired,” said son Sam Cundiff (B.S. ’83), “he still came in and helped out till about December.”
Sam Cundiff and his brother Bill (B.S. ’81) also graduated from the School of Pharmacy. Sam is pharmacist in charge at Cundiff Drug Store, and Bill is director of pharmacy for Friendship Retirement Community in Roanoke. Together with their mother, they own Cundiff Drug Store.
But, Bill Cundiff points out, their father never tried to talk his sons into following in his footsteps. “We both entertained thoughts of other careers, only to realize that pharmacy was a perfect fit after working by Dad’s side.”
Bill Cundiff’s earliest memories of working in the drug store include the speedy typist, “the MVP of the staff”; nonstop deliveries made by drivers who knew every shortcut in town; and a lunch counter that served the best food and was a center of activity. “My dad knew everyone by name, and folks would come from all over for his advice on many subjects. To many, he was as wise as Solomon.
“He showed respect to all, whether rich or poor, educated or illiterate, young or old. It let me understand why pharmacy was the most highly respected profession, and I respected those who worked as pharmacists.”
As well as devoting time to his own pharmacy and customers, Wallace Cundiff also was active in a number of professional and community organizations. He was appointed to the Virginia Board of Pharmacy in 1988, where he served for nine years and was chairman in 1991-92.
Scotti Russell (B.S. ’77), excecutive director of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy , remembers Cundiff well. “He was such a nice man, a gentleman. Sometimes board members are busy and difficult to get your hands on. But he was so willing to set aside what he was doing and come to Richmond [for meetings].
“It was a long trek, but he was very dedicated to the board.”
Cundiff had a high community profile, serving on the Roanoke County School Board from 1966 to 1969 and having served at various times as president of the Vinton Dogwood Festival , Vinton Chamber of Commerce and Vinton Host Lions Club. He received the Vinton Most Outstanding Citizen Award in 1968 and was named Vinton Father of the Year in 1982.
and Bill all graduated from the School of Pharmacy.
As founding president of the Vinton Breakfast Lions Club, he was honored earlier this year by the Lion S. Wallace Cundiff Scholarship Fund, which was named in recognition of his years of dedicated community service.
Bill Cundiff describes a letter found after his father died. “[It] confirmed what we already know about the kind of man he was.” Five years ago, Cundiff had written to Fred Rahal (B.S. ’53, M.D. ’59), praising those who believed in him in his early days as a pharmacy student. “Dean [R. Blackwell] Smith and our teacher Dr. Doyle Smith also believed in me. When someone helps me like they did, I am grateful and have never forgotten it. I have enjoyed my profession and would like to see all of those young people, who have the desire, to be able to do the same.”
A customer and friend recently wrote to Bill Cundiff: “Your dad gave two young teenagers [the writer’s siblings] their first-ever jobs. As a result of Brooks and Gayle working there, I can still recall humorous stories they came home telling. I’m sure that if Brooks and Gayle were with us today, they would be singing Wallace’s praises as one of the best guys they ever worked for. Because they are not, let me say ‘thank you’ on their behalf.”
Wallace Cundiff’s impact was felt not only in the community at large but also in the lives of the young people who worked with him. “Dad was special because he always put the needs of others ahead of himself and, at times, ahead of our family,” said his son Bill.
Although the store was closed on Christmas Day, Bill Cundiff said, “He would always get a call that day, and off we would go to take care of them. This was just what small-town pharmacists did.”
Sam Cundiff learned much about his profession by working alongside his father. During those 26 years, he said, “He taught us love for your job and for your community. He had a gentle heart … he taught us how to treat patients right.”
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